Another series knotted at 2-2, the Heat and 76ers have been trading haymakers in their Eastern Conference Semifinal showdown. Following back-to-back Philadelphia wins at home, the series shifts back to South Beach where the Heat won Games 1 and 2. In the first two games of this series, Miami won by an average margin of victory of 15 in each contest (14 in Game 1 and 16 in Game 2). However, behind the stout playmaking performance of their MVP-caliber center Joel Embiid, the 76ers have turned the tide in their favor, tying the series up at two games apiece.
For this breakdown, SBS will go over what each team has done so far against each other in the NBA Playoffs and who will ultimately win in Game 5.
Considered one of the most underrated teams in the Eastern Conference, Miami is looking to keep that chip on their shoulder mentality heading into Game 5 against Philly. In the prior two contests, the Heat were flummoxed at times by the resilient 76ers. This was especially the case in Game 3 when the series shifted back to Philadelphia and the 76ers ended up drilling Miami, to the tune of a 20-point victory. In that matchup, small forward Jimmy Butler led the way for the Heat by notching 33 points, but the rest of the squad struggled. Other than point guard Tyler Herro (14 points), no other Heat player had a double-digit scoring night and Miami was also outrebounded as a team (44 to 35).
With five players on the injury report for Miami, including spark plug forwards P.J. Tucker and Caleb Martin, the Heat will need some more firepower from their starters and bench. Butler can certainly be the focal point of the offense for the Heat, but veteran point guard Kyle Lowry (zero points in Game 3) needs to take off some of the scoring load. Miami does have a capable center in Bam Adebayo, but he has had hands full with Embiid down in the post. Though Miami did close the gap in Game 4 (an eight-point loss), they will need some more consistent scoring from players outside of Butler and Adebayo if they hope to win Game 5.
Coming off two brilliant and clutch wins in Games 3 and 4, Philadelphia has the momentum firmly in their corner heading back to Miami. In the latter contest, the 76ers were led by a resilient James Harden who scored 31 points and added in nine assists for good measure. Harden also had some help from a battered Embiid (24 points and 11 rebounds) who turned in perhaps one of his finest playoff performances yet. Thanks to a well-rounded team effort, Philly was able to hold off the scrappy Heat and tie the series at two apiece before heading back to Miami.
While momentum is certainly with Philadelphia right now, they need to be careful and not get complacent. They don’t need to look far for what that result looks like. In the first two games of this series, the 76ers were blasted in Miami, losing by double-digits in both Game 1 (14 points) and (16). While the result was not what Philly wanted, there was one bright spot for the 76ers in Game 1, that being the performance of point guard Tyrese Maxey. In 41 minutes of action, Maxey notched 34 points and made over half of his shots (12-22). If he can replicate that kind of performance in Game 5 then the 76ers have a great chance of taking the lead in this series over Miami.
Prediction: In what should be another solid contest, look for the 76ers to change the tempo here and win on enemy ground in Miami.
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About the Author
As a devout aficionado of sports, Chris Boline has carved a career within the athletic realm. A skilled scribe, he boasts a decade-long portfolio that encompasses coverage of the NBA G League, the Los Angeles Chargers, football in the Mountain West Conference, and basketball. Beyond his professional pursuits, Chris is deeply invested in his community and dedicates his leisure hours to serving on boards, collaborating with community organizations, and cherishing the company of loved ones.
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