GRADES: Philadelphia 76ers 137, Miami Heat 134
By Sam Coltrane
Joel Embiid’s all-time performance fuels much-needed Philadelphia 76ers win.
The short-handed Philadelphia 76ers continued their impressive start to the season, particularly at home, as they use a strong second-half and eventually over time to take down the also short-handed Miami Heat.
The coronavirus has already made its impact on the NBA season. Games are being postponed, but such was not the case tonight for both teams who instead just took the court without their full complement to their disposals.
Both teams were down two starters. Both teams went only eight players deep.
Despite the circumstances, the game went on and was competitive throughout.
Philadelphia jumped out early taking a 27-16 lead on a Mike Scott step back with 2:25 remaining in the first quarter. Miami would close the quarter on a 9-1 run including back-to-back threes from Duncan Robinson and Andre Iguodala.
The second quarter was also fairly back and forth until Philadelphia’s offense stymied for four minutes in the middle of the quarter when Miami made a 13-4 run. Philadelphia’s lone field goal was a Danny Green three-pointer (one of his new career-high, 9). As the teams headed to halftime, Philadelphia trailed 63-55.
After Miami’s big second quarter, Philadelphia took it a step further and poured in 41 points of their own. A Tyler Herro layup pushed Miami’s lead to 78-65 with 8:13 remaining. The next nearly six minutes were all reserved for Joel Embiid.
Philadelphia would score 17 unanswered points. Embiid scored 14 of the 17 and the three points he didn’t score were on a Isaiah Joe three-point shot on an assist from Embiid.
Before being pulled for Dwight Howard, Embiid scored or assisted on every Philadelphia basket for 25 straight points.
Entering the fourth, Philadelphia led by 1, 96-95.
In the fourth, Iguodala dunked with 9:58 remaining to bring Miami within two points. A Ben Simmons dunk, three assists, and great defense later, Philadelphia took a 12-point lead, 110-98.
Miami wasn’t done, though. They would be led back behind Herro, rookie Precious Achiuwa, and G-league journeyman Gabe Vincent. Herro drained his free throws to give Miami a 120-115 lead.
Philadelphia, who according to ESPN had a win probability of less than 8% proceeded to nail a Joe three-pointer, turn over Herro and get a clutch Embiid jumper to tie the game and eventually send it to overtime.
In overtime, the same themes above remained. The overtime period was back-and-forth, stress-inducing, and filled with Embiid.
He poured in the first nine points for Philadelphia to try and keep pace with Herro who was putting on a scorching performance, himself. Ultimately, the go-ahead shot and eventual game winner was produced by none other than Dakota Mathias, burying a three-pointer to give Philadelphia a 134-132 lead.
The final seconds were both eventful and stressful with Philadelphia missing free throws and Miami missing threes, but the game ultimately closed 137-134, Philadelphia.
A+. <strong>39 mins | 45 pts | 16 reb | 4 ast | 5 stl | 1 blk | 4 TO | 16-23 FG | 0-3 3PT| 13-13 FT | 2 PF | +4 |</strong><p>Where to even begin… Embiid dominated the game. Plain and simple, these games are what make GM’s salivate and analysts like Shaquille O’Neal to push him publicly in the media. He dominated the matchups thrown his way. He was aggressive, perfect at the line, displayed some playmaking and chipped in five steals. The performance is best left to speak for itself.</p>. C. Philadelphia 76ers. JOEL EMBIID
D+. <strong>31 mins | 5 pts | 6 reb | 12 ast | 2 stl | 0 blk | 6 TO | 2-2 FG | 0-0 3PT| 1-2 FT | 6 PF | +2 |</strong><p>The same cannot be said for Simmons. It wasn’t a bad game. Unfortunately, as can sometimes be the case for Simmons, it was just a game. Simmons too often is consistent. A strange paradigm to consider. Philadelphia needs Simmons to be a star at minimum. His offensive output helps garner all-star consideration, his defense lifts him into the star category, but yet something feels incomplete. Simmons is a star and games like these are why Philadelphia is so frustrated. If he becomes more aggressive then he’ll force his way to superstardom. No matter what though, two shots will never get it done.</p>. PG. Philadelphia 76ers. BEN SIMMONS
A-. <strong>50 mins | 29 pts | 10 reb | 6 ast | 2 stl | 2 blk | 6 TO | 10-25 FG | 9-21 3PT| 0-0 FT | 0 PF | +7 |</strong><p>Green’s performance was tremendous. He finished with attempting 21(!) 3-pointers, making nine of them. The box score numbers were very impressive for his standard and the shooting was efficient. Green’s greatest asset for Philadelphia will be shot-making, for now it’s gravity and even attempting these shots help allow for Embiid to do what he did.</p>. SF. Philadelphia 76ers. DANNY GREEN
A-. <strong>37 mins | 13 pts | 5 reb | 1 ast | 0 stl | 2 blk | 0 TO | 4-10 FG | 4-10 3PT| 1-1 FT | 3 PF | +6 |</strong><p>Joe made only four shots. All were threes. Philadelphia needed shooting in the offseason. Tonight, they got a rookie, second-round to knock down four 3s and help lead them to victory. That’s great value and further proof no team can have too much shooting.</p>. SG. Philadelphia 76ers. ISAIAH JOE
B+. <strong>11 mins | 3 pts | 1 reb | 0 ast | 0 stl | 0 blk | 0 TO | 1-4 FG | 1-3 3PT| 0-2 FT | 1 PF | +8 |</strong><p>Man makes one shot the entire night. He hit the three-pointer that would prove to be the game-winner in overtime. This spot could easily have gone to Tyrese Maxey or Scott, but Mathias ought not be written in this section often. He deserves all the great feels he has tonight. A big shot for a team who could really use a win after having lost the previous three.</p>. SF. Philadelphia 76ers. DAKOTA MATHIAS
Coronavirus protocols were just tightened around the league so availability could very well still be a concern for these teams going forward. The good news is that we won’t have to wait long to see a follow-up to this performance.
Philadelphia and Miami will face one another again at the Wells Fargo Center on Thursday night.
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