The Sixer Sense
Fansided

5 keys to Philadelphia 76ers final PS game versus Miami Heat

By Bret Stuter

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 04: Robert Covington #33, Ben Simmons #25, and Markelle Fultz #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers play against the Memphis Grizzlies during the preseason game at the Wells Fargo Center on October 4, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 04: Robert Covington #33, Ben Simmons #25, and Markelle Fultz #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers play against the Memphis Grizzlies during the preseason game at the Wells Fargo Center on October 4, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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The suddenly 1-3 Philadelphia 76ers face the Miami Heat to close out preseason. Here are 5 keys to watch for in that game

Breathe it all in Philadelphia. That feeling of optimism so many had lost track of as the Philadelphia 76ers stumbled through a winless three games of preseason. Three games of trial and error, observing which roster combinations work, and which roster combinations simply do not.  In the end, the Philadelphia 76ers run best whenever Joel Embiid is on the floor.

Thankfully, Joel Embiid did find the basketball court in game four to face the Brooklyn Nets. The results? The Philadelphia 76ers were a team possessed.  The team had averaged giving up 111 points per game, while scoring only 96 points per game.

Embiid is Optimus Prime

That all changed against the much-improved Brooklyn Nets.   The team outscored its average by midway through the third quarter. While the team did give up slightly more points than the average, the majority of those points fell after the team had the game clearly in hand. As head coach Brett Brown emptied the bench to ensure everyone got a chance to play, the Brooklyn Nets offense finally sprang to life.

So that is where we are. But what about what to look for in game five?  Here are five keys to the Miami Heat game

I. Watch how the 76ers rotate the backcourt.
II. Look for more Ben Simmons/ Dario Saric pairings.
III. Watch those wings!
IV. Brown showed his offense, look for defense standouts in game five.
V.  Will Markelle Fultz play?

So let’s start the discussion