GRADES: Miami Heat 137, Philadelphia 76ers 106
The Philadelphia 76ers’ woes continue as they fall to 9-18 on the road this season behind a strong Miami Heat third quarter.
The Philadelphia 76ers and the Miami Heat both came out playing with energy while leaving the extra curricular behind. The teams went back and forth for much of the first quarter before a 10-2 run by Miami left them leading 30-26.
The second quarter was much of the same between the two teams as they went back and forth in an even affair, with Miami leading 56-52.
The third quarter was where the game unraveled for Philadelphia as their former teammate Jimmy Butler went for 15 points on 6-for-6 shooting. Butler’s third quarter alone produced more field goals than Philadelphia’s starting five. Miami outscored Philadelphia 41-25 and opened a 20-point lead entering the fourth quarter.
Philadelphia entered the fourth quarter attempting to surmount a comeback to no avail. Miami maintained their lead and at the six-minute mark Philadelphia pulled their starters. One silver lining from the game was definitely getting to see the long-awaited Zhaire Smith get into his fourth game of the season.
Philadelphia will have perhaps their toughest test of the season on Thursday as they look to end their losing streak at three games on the road in Milwaukee tipping off nearly four hours after the conclusion of the NBA trade deadline.