The returns of Paul George et Joel Embiid have not had the desired effect so far. Worse, since the return of Joel Embiid, the Sixers still haven’t won, and it’s not the sad performance displayed last night in Miami that is going to fix things. Miami is not at its best either but managed to show a much more conquering face after the break, despite the absences of Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Terry Rozier.
After a ten-minute observation run (21-18), the Sixers were the first to take the lead, ending the first quarter with a 15-4, the work of Paul George and a Jared McCain already hot with two 3-point baskets (25-33). The rookie continued the fun at the start of the second quarter with two new brilliant shots, enough to force Erik Spoelstra to stop the game (25-39).
Miami suffered especially from its too many ball losses and its external clumsiness to start the game, preventing it from nibbling the gap. Alec Burks and Dru Smith corrected the situation behind the arc, then the Floridians’ defense put the locals back in the swing of things by generating transition play to achieve a 21-5 just before the break, fueled by the Burks-Butler trio -Highsmith (53-56).
The Sixers are taking on water…
Everything had to be done again for Philadelphia, especially since this time, Miami was playing with full confidence, like its 6/10 from afar over the first seven minutes of the third quarter with two arrows for the Robinson-Herro tandem , and one from Jimmy Butler and Kevin Love (73-66). Above all, the Heat stayed the course with big defensive sequences which allowed Tyler Herro to shine twice in transition and inexorably widen the gap to complete a 10-0 (83-69). Philly took the water until the end, with another 3-pointer from Haywood Highsmith and a final basket from Tyler Herro to bring the score to 88-72 with 12 minutes remaining.
Miami held on and after four new points from Jimmy Butler, it was Bam Adebayo who delivered the final blow, with a 3-pointer at the head of the racket to send Philly back to school (106-89).
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– A return from Jimmy Butler to almost perfect. A boss match for “Jimmy Buckets”, back from injury, who knew how to put on the warm-up blue to launch his team into the second quarter, and who played fair until the end. Beyond his 8/12 shooting, his 13/13 throwing, his 10 rebounds or 5 assists, we will remember the fact that he did not lose a single ball in 34 minutes to finish with the best +/ – of the match (+29). He must also have appreciated the proud reaction of his team after a somewhat complicated first quarter, and the defensive level displayed after the break, in particular by holding Philly to 16 small points in the third quarter.
– A Sixers attack at half mast. We thought that the return of Joel Embiid would boost the Sixers’ attack, it’s quite the opposite. For four games, Philadelphia has had 95 points scored and has developed a particularly poor offensive game. The two leaders of the team clearly lack automatisms, while waiting for the return of Tyrese Maxey, and the “role players” also suffer, like Guerschon Yabusele, unrecognizable for four games. The only one who manages to show himself for the moment is still the rookie Jared McCain.
– Philadelphia in last place in the league. With 2 wins for 11 losses, the Sixers are currently the dunce caps of the NBA, tied with the Wizards. We will quickly have to restart…
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
