It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. There was a lot on the line for the final game of the regular season for the Sixers. The squad needed a Brooklyn Nets loss vs. Orlando and to lose vs. Miami in order to force a coin flip for the 10 and 11 spots in the lottery. Both games started at the same time, so there was a lot of emotion being thrown back and forth over the course of two hours.
The Heat and Sixers were both trying to lose this game, well at least by their starting lineups. The Sixers literally started five forwards: JaKarr Sampson, Robert Covington, Jerami Grant, Glenn Robinson III and Henry Sims. The Heat countered with: Zoran Dragic, Tyler Johnson, Henry “Bill” Walker, Michael Beasley and James Ennis. There was no conventional center in either of the teams lineups.
More from The Sixer Sense
- 3 Sixers players who could help Team USA Basketball
- 76ers 2k24 ratings: 3 most underrated players on Philadelphia roster
- 76ers head coach Nick Nurse bares lofty plans for Paul Reed this season
- Grade the Trade: 76ers swap Tobias Harris for superstar PG in mock deal
- Sixers Podcast: Danny Green returns + James Harden bombshell
The game was interesting to watch. The Sixers would go down with as many as 20 points, but wound up coming back. The Heat only played seven players the entire game. The lone sub was longtime vet Udonis Haslem, who went on a seven-minute run in the second quarter. Besides that, there were no subs for Miami. All of Miami’s starters played 48 minutes, besides Zoran Dragic, who played 40. Sheesh.
With a few minutes left in the game, the Nets beat the Magic, so the Heat would be slotted at No. 10 in the lottery regardless. With this, people started rooting for the Sixers and they responded. It came down to a final play that could propel the Sixers to a victory and 19 wins on the year. Robert Covington had a look at a corner three, but missed and the Heat literally grabbed the rebound and ran away with the victory.
Stars of the Game
The Fans
We want to send a shoutout to all the fans, readers, haters, etc that came to read our blog this season. It was a tough year and we hope we did a good job to keep you engaged. Never worry, the Draft lottery is in a little over a month and we’re just going to pick up steam as #DraftSeason hits. But seriously, thank you for everything. We would be nothing without you.
Draft Pick Update
The Sixers will be slotted at No. 3 for their own draft pick (Knicks won) and the Heat will be slotted at No. 10. Lakers will also be slotted at No. 4.
#sixers draft pick tracker: The Sixers will get their own pick, have a 17.2% chance at Lakers pick, 9.1% at Miami: http://t.co/3uIwLHxLhh
— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) April 16, 2015
Tweet of the Game
Yes, this just happened. (via @JakePavorsky) https://t.co/8mFlVNoHZh
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) April 16, 2015
This was a real thing. So, did the Sixers score on the play?
"We SCORED on that✊"
Of course they did. Coach JoJo forever.
Brett Brown says he let players (Noel, Embiid, J-Rich, Luc) design plays to keep them engaged. Did that some in San Antonio.
— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) April 16, 2015
Stat of the Game
The Sixers finish with one less with than last season, going 18-64, marking the second season with under 20 wins.
Next Game
SUMMER LEAGUE. JOEL EMBIID BABY.