Less than 48 hours after their matchup on Friday night, the Sixers take on the Miami Heat, this time in Florida. The Heat won on Friday 112-102 behind strong performances from Dwyane Wade and Hassan Whiteside. Neither Nerlens Noel nor Jahlil Okafor played in Friday's game, and both are listed out for tonight's game as well. Even without their defensive and offensive anchors, the Sixers played competitively into the second half. Ish Smith and Robert Covington both had good games, with 26 and 25 points respectively. Jerami Grant and Richaun Holmes also had good games, tallying 15 rebounds, four assists, two steals, and three blocks between them.
Miami comes in hot, winning 7 of their last 9 games all without All-Star PF/C Chris Bosh. Bosh has been out with blood clots in his lungs, a serious health issue that forced him to miss the back half of last season as well. After a hot start to the season and a favorable schedule, many expected the Heat to fade leading up to the post season. However they're currently the 4th seed in the East and have been playing very well in spite of having a veteran roster and Bosh out indefinitely. Don't think their lead is so safe though, the 4th seed and the 9th seed are only separated by five games, so the Heat won't be resting their starters quite yet.
The Sixers come in an NBA worst 8-54 and losing 11 straight. Their last win was on Feb. 6 to the Nets, 103-98. Okafor went for 22 points and 17 rebounds and Nerlens Noel contributed 18 points, four rebounds, two assists, four steals, and three blocks. Though it's no secret the Sixers are building for their future by drafting young players and giving them ample time to play through their mistakes, nobody wants to see them set or match the record for fewest wins in a season. The record for worst winning percentage in a season was set by the Charlotte Bobcats in the lockout shortened 2012 season going 7-59 (0.106), and fewest wins in a full season was set by these same Sixers in the 1973 season 9-73 (0.110). Hopefully the Sixers can win at least one more game to avoid this unfortunate record.
Game Notes:
- Elton Brand made his first appearance in a Sixers uniform on Friday, scoring 8 points in 13 minutes off the bench
- Baron Davis played his first game with the Delaware 87ers Friday night, with 8 points, four assists, and three steals
- Heat Center Hassan Whiteside has the most total rebounds and most total blocks of anyone in the NBA after the All-Star break
- The Heat turned over much of their roster around the trade deadline, letting go of Beno Udrih, Chris "Birdman" Andersen, and Jarnell Stokes, while acquiring recently waived Joe Johnson
Projected Starting Lineups:
Sixers:
PG: Ish Smith (15.1 ppg , 7.3 apg)
SG: Hollis Thompson (9.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg)
SF: Robert Covington (11.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg)
PF: Jerami Grant (9.1 ppg, 4.7 rpg)
C: Carl Landry (6.7 ppg, 2.6 rpg)
Injuries: Joel Embiid (foot), Jahlil Okafor (shin), Nerlens Noel (knee), Nik Stauskas (illness), Kendall Marshall (illness)
Heat:
PG: Goran Dragic (13.3 ppg, 5.6 apg)
SG: Dwyane Wade (19.2 ppg, 4.8 apg)
SF: Joe Johnson (14.0 ppg, 2.8 rpg)
PF: Luol Deng (11.7 ppg, 5.4 rpg)
C: Amar'e Stoudemire (5.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg)
Injuries: None
Game and Broadcast Information
Time/Location: 6pm, American Airlines Arena
TV: CSN Philly
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Stream: csnphilly.com
