Believe it or not, the Philadelphia 76ers closed out their season with a blowout victory over the world champion, palyoff-bound Miami Heat, 100-87. With that, the Sixers claimed the season series.
They did so thanks to claiming the first game of the season against the Heat, all the way back on Oct. 30. That would have been a nice tie breaker if they were jockeying for playoff positioning.
The problem is, 80 games between the two took place. The Sixers of course won 17 of those 80 games to finish with the second-worst record in the NBA.
Miami, who is getting set for a third consecutive championship run, rested its big guns for this one. LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Chris Andersen did not even dress and Dwayne Wade barely played.
Despite being severely undermanned only dressing nine guys, the Heat hung with the talent-challenged 76ers. Only ahead by four at the half, the Sixers were spreading the scoring around.
Thaddeus Young finished with 20 points to lead all scorers, and added nine rebounds to lead the team. In what was his final game of what should be a Rookie of the Year campaign, Michael Carter-Williams added 12 points. After not even attempting a three-pointer in his last six games, the rookie drained three.
The two of them were joined by four other Sixers scorers in double figures. Playing only 23 minutes, Dwayne Wade led the Heat with 16 points.
Philadelphia held Miami to just over 40% from the field, as they lacked any real scorers outside of Wade and Ray Allen, who contributed 11 points.
The Sixers will now turn their attention to what should be the most crucial offseason in team history. The have secured the second-best lottery odds, and baring the New Orleans Pelicans cracking the top three in the lottery, they will also have the tenth overall pick.
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