Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers (39-24) traveled to FTX Arena to take on the Miami Heat (43-22) in part of the NBA Saturday game. It was the Eastern Conference leaders who came out in top with MIA winning 99-82 as the final score.
There’s been much focus around the NBA placed on the Philadelphia 76ers since acquiring James Harden at the NBA trade deadline. The team has received staggering results from Harden, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey as a “Big 3” and they looked to continue the momentum against the Heat after having won five straight games. However, there was only one issue, Harden wasn’t available to play due to scheduled rest.
With Jimmy Butler making his return to the lineup, the Miami Heat took down the 76ers pretty handily. Philadelphia was contained to just 14 points in both the initial and final quarters of the game and shot a putrid 7-of-41 (17.1%) from three-point range. Butler and Tyler Herro each scored 21 points to set the tone.
LATEST NBA NEWS: 76ers vs Heat Saturday: Lineups, Injury Reports & Broadcast Info
Both teams face off one additional time after this matchup and it will be a pivotal factor in deciding which team ultimately finishes atop the Eastern Conference standings.
The next 76ers vs Heat matchup is likely to feature Victor Oladipo given he will be making his season debut early this upcoming week. He’s been rehabbing throughout the 2021-22 season from another major quad tendon injury and aims to play a key role off the bench.
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