The 76ers hosted the Miami Heat in a clash of rivals Saturday night at Wells Fargo Center. The Sixers kept their undefeated home record alive, extinguishing the Heat, 113-86.
Top Performers
- Josh Richardson- 32 points, 1 rebound, 4 assists, 1 steal (+33)
- Joel Embiid- 23 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks (+28)
- Tobias Harris- 19 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals (+38)
The storyline of the game: Jimmy’s Return
Despite downplaying the return, Jimmy Butler knows for sure how intense this game is going to be. Jimmy certainly was the best fourth quarter ball-handler that Philadelphia has had since Allen Iverson, and the fans knew this. Even though his time in Philadelphia was short, he certainly made a significant impact during his tenure.
Philly fans were not very welcoming of the man who essentially chose the tropics of Miami over the City of Brotherly Love, showering the point guard with boos during player introductions, and every time he touched the ball.
Butler downplayed the game, and he’s glad that he did. In a dismal performance by his team, Butler only managed 11 points in 30 minutes of work.
Ben Simmons?
Despite what you may see throughout Sixers’ fans Twitters, Ben Simmons did not play a bad game at all. He logged four points, eight rebounds, and seven assists in 28 minutes of work. He did not have to score, and let the game build around him. His defense took over this game from the start, as he logged four steals as well. The Sixers were +33 with him on the court.
So, why exactly would the Sixers trade a dynamic two way player like Ben?
The roundup
In a game that marked the 100th straight sellout in Philadelphia, the Sixers easily played the best team performance they have all season. Now with the starters all back and healthy, this team is starting to live up to their calling cards. The 76ers are undefeated at Wells Fargo Center, and fans are alive.
The Sixers take on the 2018-2019 NBA champion Toronto Raptors Monday night at 7:30 p.m. in Toronto.
Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
