Jared McCain has spent the early portion of the season attempting to rediscover the player who was in Rookie of the Year award conversations one year ago. After spending six games shaking off the rust, he did just that against the Miami Heat today.
His season-high 15 points were one of the most notable takeaways from the Philadelphia 76ers’ 127-117 loss to the Miami Heat at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Sunday afternoon. McCain’s minimal resurgence, Andre Drummond’s continued productivity and Miami’s superior execution stood out in Philadelphia’s seventh loss of the season.
McCain looked sharp
McCain first checked into the game with less than three minutes left in the opening quarter and wasted little time. He buried a pull-up 12-foot jumpshot off the dribble, which set the tone for what was to come. The sophomore appeared more confident and decisive as a ball-handler after primarily operating off the ball in his first six games of the year.
McCain was equally as effective from three-point range, however. He shot 3-4 from beyond the arc today – converting two spot-up triples. Whenever the 76ers (9-7) increased tempo, the guard was ready to receive the ball and fire off the catch. Between his versatile scoring and shifty dribble penetration, McCain looked like the player who the fandom has grown to love.
He finished with 15 points on 5-11 shooting from the field, two assists and one steal.
Drummond beats on
While Joel Embiid’s (knee) seven-game absence has lowered Philadelphia’s competitiveness, Drummond has taken the opportunity and ran with it. He delivered 14 points on 6-11 shooting from the field, 23 rebounds (eight offensive rebounds) and two blocks; the first 76ers player to produce those numbers since himself in 2022.
The 14-year veteran has commandeered the glass, efficiently scored in the paint and spaced the floor as of late. Fans and media alike called for Philadelphia to salary-dump Drummond via trade after he opted into his $5 million player option on June 26th. But, he has become a core part of the rotation through 16 games.
The center has notched a double-double in six of his last seven games – yes really.
The Heat are who they say they are
Miami (11-6) entered today’s game leading the NBA in pace, notching an estimated 105.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and it showed why.
The Heat had 26 transition points and converted the 76ers’ 14 turnovers into 21 points, which swung the game in their favor. Philadelphia struggled to defend the fastbreak as Norman Powell torched it for a game-high 32 points, with most of which coming from the open floor.
Miami thrived in the halfcourt due to its balanced scoring approach that has guided it to the third seed in the Eastern Conference. The Heat exploited the 76ers' inferior size as Jaime Jaquez Jr. feasted off the dribble en route to 22 points. Kel’el Ware also bested Philadelphia with his athleticism, especially off pick-and-rolls, which yielded him 20 points and 16 rebounds.
The 76ers will remain at home to battle the Orlando Magic (10-7) on November 25th at 8:00 p.m. EST.