RECAP: Miami Heat 95, Philadelphia 76ers 119 (preseason)

The Philadelphia 76ers cruised to their second easy victory lead by Joel Embiid in as many games, and look to be in good shape for the regular season.

This last preseason game featuring the Philadelphia 76ers versus the Miami Heat was originally not going to be televised, (unless you have League Pass). At the last minute, NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) managed to secure rights to stream the game. It is not the same quality as a televised game, but it was far better than the alternative.

Ten minutes before tipoff, I was actually set up and ready to listen to the whole thing on the radio to get a fuller picture of the game.

Radio coverage is fine, as a last resort

Categorically, I’m not even a Millennial; I fall into the group labeled Generation Z. And so, listening to a sports game on the radio to me is like watching a movie by looking at individual frames on a film reel. Painful. The things I’m willing to do to recap games for you guys…

Lets get right down to it. I’m trying a new format where we grade the most significant players in the game. Let me know what you think in the comments section. Let’s start off with Ben Simmons:

A. 18 min | 19 pts | 7 reb | 5 ast | 0 stl | 1 blk | 0 TO | 9-11 FG | 0-0 3PT | 1-2 FT | 1 PF | +18 +/- | Summary: This game was a weird one from Simmons. He didn’t appear to be dominating as he often does, but a look at the stat line shows it was his most efficient and highest volume of scoring to date. 5 assists with no turnovers is also an encouraging stat for the rookie ballhandler.. PF. Philadelphia 76ers. BEN SIMMONS

Next up is J.J. Redick.

A-. 20 min |19 pts | 1 reb | 0 ast | 0 stl | 0 blk | 0 TO | 6-11 FG | 5-6 3PT | 2-2 FT | 2 PF | +15 +/- | Summary: <a rel=. SG. Philadelphia 76ers. J.J. REDICK

Following that, lets look at Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot

B-. 20 min | 17 pts | 4 reb | 3 ast | 0 stl | 0 blk | 2 TO | 3-7 FG | 1-4 3PT | 10-11 FT | 1 PF | +1 +/- | Summary: Another solid outing off the bench for TLC saw him attack aggressively, get to the free throw line and convert like crazy, and come in third on the team in scoring.. SG. Philadelphia 76ers. TIMOTHE LUWAWU-CABORROT

What about Robert Covington?

SF. Philadelphia 76ers. ROBERT COVINGTON. C+. 19 min | 6 pts | 7 reb | 1 ast | 1 stl | 2 blk | 2 TO | 2-5 FG | 2-5 3PT | 0-0 FT | 1 PF | +18 +/- | Summary: Covington played his typical good perimeter defense, tied for the team lead in rebounds, and showcased his improved three point shot. Nothing great from him, nothing bad.

And finally, the big guy, Joel Embiid.

He played a significant role in game four. Could he repeat that same performace?

C. 15 min | 5 pts | 7 reb | 1 ast | 0 stl | 1 blk | 0 TO | 1-7 FG | 0-3 3PT | 3-4 FT | 3 PF | +13 +/- | Summary: Embiid moved well and drew a lot of fouls, but he sometimes forced the issue against stellar defensive big man <a rel=. C. Philadelphia 76ers. JOEL EMBIID

Anyway, this game was also another very solid performance for the 76ers. When they started the preseason 0-3, I was concerned. Without Embiid, the team seemed less energized on both ends of the court.

Previous game recaps

When center Joel Embiid finally did find his way onto the basketball court and played a few minutes, the team sprang to life. The Philadelphia 76ers dominated their opponents . I am aware that there’s more to it than that, but still, there is currently a 100 percent correlation between games Embiid plays in and games we win.

Oh, and the team announced who will be waived. Check out the story immediately below for that breaking report:

Next: Any surprises left on the Philadelphia 76ers roster?

Again, our defense still looked a little suspect. But considering circumstances of multiple high-minutes rookies, it was vastly improved. Despite new players being integrated in a system, the 76ers held the very dangerous Miami Heat to just 95 points.

If the 76ers can keep hanging this many points on people, though, they’ll be just fine.