Sixers
Sixers host Heat in first playoff game since 2012
Published14 Apr 2018
By Josh Liddick, Sports Talk Philly editor 
Tip-off: 8:00 pm ❖ Location: Philadelphia, PA ❖ TV: ESPN, NBC Sports Philadelphia ❖ Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Well, the day has finally arrived, and it seems like Sixers fans have waited a lifetime for this moment. When in actuality, it's been six years. The Sixers host the Miami Heat Saturday night in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference First Round.
The Sixers enter the playoffs riding the longest win streak to end the season in NBA history. They've won an astounding 16 straight games, which allowed them to nab the third seed with the right to have home court advantage and face the sixth-seeded Heat.
The season series between the two opponents is 2-2, but the Sixers have taken the last two matchups of the season.
The Sixers hope that missing Joel Embiid for Game 1 Saturday won't hurt them as much, as he will miss his ninth straight game due to the fractured orbital bone injury suffered on March 28.
For the Sixers, getting wins in the first two games are going to be extra important, before heading down to South Beach for Games 3 and 4. The big question surrounding the Sixers isn't their talent, it's their experience. For many of the players, this is their first go-around with playing in postseason games. Luckily for veterans such as JJ Redick, Amir Johnson, Marco Belinelli, and Ersan Ilyasova, they have a little bit of playoff experience under their belts to aid the young players in making the transition from the regular season to the intensity of what will come in the following days and weeks.
It's been a long time coming for Philadelphia
The Sixers haven't played in a playoff game since 2012, six years ago. That's a long time, and it's even longer considering how much "The Process" has taken a toll on the fanbase.
Sixers fans have endured five straight years of losing seasons, and just two years ago, the Sixers had went 10-72.
Now, with head coach Brett Brown still at the helm, the Sixers have won 52 games, a 24 win increase from last year's 28-54 record.
The expectation after last season's 18-win improvement was to have a Sixers team healthy enough to make a run at a .500 record with the possibility of playoffs in a weak Eastern Conference. The Sixers absolutely smashed their expectations and sit with the third best record in the East behind the Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics.
As Philadelphia fans, we've already been spoiled this year with the Eagles winning the first Super Bowl Championship in franchise history, but getting playoff basketball back in Philadelphia is a huge deal for a franchise that has suffered way too long.
Amir Johnson becomes a key player in Game 1
Losing Joel Embiid in Game 1 is a bummer, especially since he's the centerpiece of "The Process" and a big reason the Sixers are in this position to begin with.
However, Amir Johnson might be the best option you can dream up for the Sixers, considering his veteran leadership and playoff experience during his career.
In 74 games this season for Philadelphia, Johnson averaged 4.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 15.8 minutes per game.
The 30-year-old has six years of playoff experience for three different teams. 42 games worth, where he's also started in 24 playoff games. Hopefully, Johnson coming in to replace Embiid is just a one-game band-aid, but even if it's not, you know you can rely on Johnson to be a crutch in these big roles.
Without Embiid, guarding Heat big men become more critical
The Heat have a pair of centers who become so important in the rebounding game and blocking game for Miami.
Hassan Whiteside, of course, is a name that always needs to be watched. Joel Embiid has been the best player to guard Whiteside this season, but without him, Amir Johnson, Richaun Holmes, and the Sixers' other big men need to step up.
Rookie Bam Adebayo is one of the NBA's best rebounders per 48 minutes.
"They are tremendous rim protectors," Brett Brown said. "You better go to jump or you better find perimeter shooters, because anything soft or non-purposeful is very difficult with those two bodies in there."
Blowing out teams could come in handy on Saturday
The Sixers have a knack of being one of the best first quarter teams in the NBA this season. They showed that on Wednesday in the final game of the season against Milwaukee, when they led by as many as 30 points late in the first half.
Getting out to a big lead early might bode well for a team that is missing a crucial part of their offense in Embiid.
The 3-point shooting is important, as they will rely on JJ Redick, Robert Covington, and bench players Marco Belinelli, Ersan Ilyasova, and Justin Anderson for many of those shots.
The last time the Heat visited the Wells Fargo Center, the Sixers were down by 24 points and came all the way back to get the 104-102 victory.
Hopefully, a comeback like that won't be a factor in any playoff game for the Sixers like that.
| Game 1 Preview | April 14, 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Miami Heat (44-38, 18-23 Away) |
Philadelphia 76ers (52-30, 30-11 Home) |
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