Philadelphia 76ers’ win over Heat shows team growth and depth
The Philadelphia 76ers came back from a 23-point deficit to beat the Miami Heat on Wednesday. Here’s how it showed major team growth.
The Philadelphia 76ers beat the Heat 104-102 in Miami to cement themselves in seventh place in the Eastern Conference. Without Joel Embiid, Philly went down by 23 points at halftime but came back in heroic fashion to win on Marco Belinelli‘s debut. Philly had a well-balanced game in terms of scoring, as five players hit double figures, two of whom came off the bench.
The Sixers’ main weaknesses this season have been turnovers and bench scoring. Other than Ben Simmons, the 76ers do not have any reliable guards who come off the bench and provide instant offense like Lou Williams or Eric Gordon. T.J. McConnell certainly has skills, but his lack of athleticism and a consistent jump shot prevent him from becoming that player for the 76ers.
On Wednesday, new acquisition Marco Belinelli played the sixth-man microwave role against the Heat.
The Italian came off the bench to hang up 17 points on 7/12 shooting in 28 minutes in his 76ers debut, sparking the Sixers’ comeback in the process. Richaun Holmes and Trevor Booker stepped up in the absence of the NBA’s best center: Holmes had 11 points, nine boards, two assists, and two blocks while Booker put up nine points, nine boards (five offensive), and two assists.
Ben Simmons made the biggest contribution against Miami, and the 21-year-old point guard flashed his ability to lead by example. The rookie went off for another triple-double and locked down on defense. His 18-point, 12-rebound, and 10-assist night led the team to victory and he proved that he can dominate a game without Embiid on the floor with him.
Ben Simmons, who is apparently not ROY and is a product of Embiid’s greatness, put up 18-12-10 in his absence while grabbing 4 steals and playing lockdown defense on multiple Heat players down the stretch of a close game, which Philly won.
— The Sixer Sense (@SixerSense) February 15, 2018
Amir Johnson, Robert Covington, J.J. Redick, and T.J. McConnell all had rough nights, but the play of Simmons, Belinelli, Booker, Holmes, and Dario Saric brought the Philadelphia 76ers back from the huge deficit.
Related Story: 2018 NBA Draft Big Board 5.0
The win shows two things: first, the Sixers have grown as a team. In past years, months, and even weeks, the team would have rolled over, accepted the outcome at halftime, and Brett Brown would have tried and failed with an ambitious, experimental lineup. Second, it proves how good Marco Belinelli can be for the team. He already told the world how much he trusts The Process, so his dedication to the cause is high.
Trust the process @sixers pic.twitter.com/0zXs3Q2Yr0
— Marco Belinelli (@marcobelinelli) February 13, 2018
With Belinelli in the rotation, Jerryd Bayless will probably lose the few minutes Brown gave him in recent contests. Belinelli and McConnell as the second-string backcourt duo could work well: Belinelli will operate as a sharpshooter who can add a spark on offense while T.J.’s passing, penetration, and determination on defense and the boards will take a lot of pressure off of the Italian guard.
This crucial win could give the team the confidence they need to extend their five-game winning streak. They have the All-Star break to rest, but it’s vital that the team does not lose its momentum. If the bench continues to contribute the way it did on Wednesday and the team continues to fight as hard as it can for all 48 minutes of each game, then the ceiling will rise for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Next: Talent and personality key to Embiid's dominance
In past games without Embiid, the squad would appear defeated from the tip-off. They did against the Heat, but they looked like a different team after the break. The team’s growth from the first game until now is evident, and if the group keeps meshing as the regular season winds down, then the Sixers will be the second Philadelphia franchise with high playoff hopes.