After an impressive 130-103 win in the series opener, Ben Simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers will again host the Miami Heat for Game 2 in Round 1 of the Eastern Conference NBA playoffs. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 10am (AEST).
Some speculated the 76ers would tremble after star centre Joel Embiid went down with an injury towards the end of the seasons. Despite this, the Sixers closed out the regular season strong with Simmons and co. making up for his absence without skipping a beat.
Bigs Dario Saric, Amir Johnson and Ersan Ilyasova played heavy minutes in Game 1, a trend that will likely continue until the all-around juggernaut Embiid returns.
Last time out, J.J. Reddick scored 28 points while spacing the floor, allowing Simmons to rack up 14 assists in addition to his 17 points. Embiid’s rebounding numbers came in the form of Ilyasova who pulled down 14 to along with his 17 points.
Most impressively, the Sixers shot a rousing 22 of 29 (75.9 per cent) from behind the arc permitting them to come back from an early 35-29 deficit in the first quarter.
The Heat looked a bit out of place with centre Kelly Olynyk being the sole 20-point scorer. Coach Erik Spoelstra played double-double machine Hassan Whiteside just 12 minutes – something that will likely change Game 2.
If Miami wants to even up the series before returning home for Game 3, they must get more production from their guards and Whiteside. Goran Dragic, Tyler Johnson, Josh Richardson and Whiteside – all of whom started – combined for a mere 30 points.
If Simmons and Covington can keep up their smothering defence which has defined Philadelphia for the entire 2017-2018 season, the Heat will find themselves in a dangerous hole.
Prediction
With the home crowd and an impressive Game 1 showing, expect the 76ers to take this one – though not by the same massive margin.
Sixers by 12.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this match from 10am (AEST).
Nathan
Guest
I said this exact thing to a mate when watching the game. They had momentum in the 4th but lost their heads a bit and it cost them big time.
Red Kev
Roar Guru
Agree with that, Embiid back and they will take the series. To me the Sixers looked exactly like a young team who started to play frantically when things began to go wrong for them (i.e. shooting less than 20% from three as opposed to over 60% in game one).
Tyler Oringer
Roar Guru
FINAL MIA 113 - PHI 103 In an extremely intense and physical game, the Heat righted their first quarter wrongs and was able to keep up their physicality without fouling as much. Dwanye Wade provided a sense of calm in the second and when the Sixers started to come back in the fourth. Though Simmons and Saric willed their team back, the amount of missed threes and smart play from James Johnson, Dragic, and the aforementioned player of the game Wade was too much to bear for the Sixers. Brett Brown and co. missed out on an incredible to capitalize at home before Joel Embiid potentially returns. Though Whiteside was nowhere to be found, the Heat made up for him in a variety of ways, similar to how they had done as the 2018 regular season was coming to a close. This should be an exciting series until the very end. Thank you for following along and I hope you enjoyed the coverage! Game 3 will be played on Friday at 9am (AEST) at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida.
Rellum
Roar Guru
That was the regular season. 76ers struggling when Wade decides to play. They should take heart that they won 3 quarters and they didn’t shoot well. Add Embid to shore up the middle and as an scoring outlet and I think Philly still wins the series.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Philly with plenty of work to do after that. Thanks Tyler. Good call!
Tyler Oringer
Roar Guru
Q4 0:00 GAME OVER. Dragic lays in an undefended bunny and the Heat successfully hold off the Sixers. MIA - 113 PHI - 103
Tyler Oringer
Roar Guru
Q4 10.6 seconds We have entered the intentional fouling part of the game. Olynyk at the line with the game all but finished. MIA - 111 PHI - 103
Tyler Oringer
Roar Guru
Q4 1' Robert Covington has been terrible this game. 1-9 from the field 0-7 from three. He just turned over the ball following an offensive board. The game is looking to be finished. Wade then hits yet another shot. MIA - 106 PHI - 98
Tyler Oringer
Roar Guru
Q4 2' Bellineli hits a jumper while smothered by Olynyk. MIA - 104 PHI - 98
Tyler Oringer
Roar Guru
Q4 3' The game is now turning back for the Heat. Wade with an offensive rebound, leading to a wide-open mid-range jumper for Dragic. Neither team is boxing out this game. 11 offensive boards for the Heat. MIA - 104 PHI - 96
Tyler Oringer
Roar Guru
Wade then finds Johnson for an easy bucket. Sixers now missing shots and looking a bit out of place. MIA - 102 PHI - 96
jameswm
Guest
Never heard of him - Bruce Bolden's kid? Geez we're doping ok on the kids of imports from 20-30 years ago!
Tyler Oringer
Roar Guru
Q4 4' Wade stops the run with a fastbreak dunk. He has been the difference in this game. MIA - 100 PHI - 96
Tyler Oringer
Roar Guru
Q4 5' Ilyasova puts in a Saric miss. Sixers somehow down two. Then, Heat miss a runner in the lane. Chance to tie for Philadelphia. MIA - 98 PHI - 96
Tyler Oringer
Roar Guru
Q4 6' Simmons answers back a Heat layup. MIA - 98 PHI - 94
Jerry
Guest
This post aged well.
Tyler Oringer
Roar Guru
Q4 6' Saric puts in a contested layup after a deep Simmons pass off of a Heat miss. The first quarter transition offence is creeping back into fruition for Philly. Wells Fargo is going crazy yet again. Timeout Heat. MIA - 96 PHI - 92
Tyler Oringer
Roar Guru
Q4 7' Ilyasova picks up his fifth foul on a reach.
Tyler Oringer
Roar Guru
Q4 7' Good, hard foul from Wade on a Simmons cut from a fastbreak. Smart play from a savvy veteran. Simmons splits the pair. MIA - 96 PHI - 90
Tyler Oringer
Roar Guru
Q4 8' James Johnson hits a deafening three from the corner. But answered by an easy Simmons layup from half-court offence. MIA - 96 PHI - 89