After a 6-game series with the Toronto Raptors, the Philadelphia 76ers are advancing to the second round of the playoffs. They’ll be matched up with a Miami team that took down the Hawks in just five games, even with injuries to Kyle Lowry and Jimmy Butler. Philadelphia will unfortunately be missing MVP candidate Joel Embiid for the first two games at least. Embiid suffered an orbital fracture as well as a concussion during Game 6 against the Raptors. Philly will need great performances from James Harden and Tyrese Maxey until Embiid potentially returns.
These teams met four times in the regular season, splitting the season series 2-2. Harden hasn’t been in a game against the Heat while a member of the Sixers yet, but he has appeared in one game when he was on Brooklyn earlier this season. In that game, Harden had 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists. He shot 4 of 12 from the field as well as 4 of 8 from three.
With Embiid out for the first two games, we could see the Heat defense using the same strategy they used against Trae Young. Using traps, switches, and double teams could throw Harden off his game and force other shooters on the team to be on point. Tyrese Maxey has given the Heat some trouble this season, averaging 21.3 points on 56.4% shooting in four games. Maxey will be essential to the Sixers offense this series, so it’ll be interesting to see how Miami tries to contain him.
On the other hand, Miami’s stars have had mixed results against the Sixers this season. Jimmy Butler has seen the most success, averaging 18.7 points and 6.7 assists on 36.6% shooting in three games. With Lowry ruled out for Game 1 and potentially more, Butler will have to step up once again. Victor Oladipo and Gabe Vincent will likely take up Lowry’s minutes just like last series.
In his two games against the Sixers, Bam Adebayo averaged 14 points and 9.5 rebounds on 50% shooting. With the absence of Embiid’s defensive presence, Adebayo needs to be aggressive and look towards the basket. Even without Embiid for some of the series, the Sixers are a legit team and Miami will need to take them seriously to win.
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