Heat dominate Embiid-less 76ers, take 2-0 lead in semifinal round of NBA playoffs
The Miami Heat have defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 2 of their second-round matchup, 119-103, to take a 2-0 lead in the NBA playoffs.
The Philadelphia 76ers missed the services of NBA MVP finalist Joel Embiid in Game 2 of their semifinal matchup against the Miami Heat, where they were roundly defeated, 119-103.
The Heat are now up 2-0 in the playoff series.
Miami take command in the first quarter
Miami took the lead early on, pulling away in the first quarter and maintaining a double-digit lead for most of the time from then on. The depth of their bench was apparent as their roster tallied a balanced output. Bam Adabayo and Jimmy Butler however stood out with a combined 45 points,15 rebounds, and 15 assists.
NBA Sixth Man of the Year Tyler Herro proved he was indeed worthy of the award when he delivered 16 of his 18 points in the first half off the bench.
Philadelphia: Lost without Embiid
Young rising star Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 34 points, Tobias Harris contributed 21, while James Harden dropped 20 points.
Their efforts were simply not enough, and they will continue to struggle against the top-seeded Heat without Embiid, who is still recovering from a concussion and orbital fracture. There is no timetable for the center’s return at the moment.
The 76ers now have to win four of the remaining five games to win the round, and this will include at least one matchup in Miami, where the Heat remain undefeated in the playoffs.
The series moves to Philadelphia for Game 3 of the semifinals. The Heat and the Sixers will play at the Wells Fargo Center on Friday, May 6, with hardcourt action set to begin at 7:00 p.m. ET / 4:00 p.m. PT.