The Sixers are back at it again tonight in the second of two games against the Miami Heat. According to the initial NBA Injury Report, the Sixers had four names upgraded to probable ahead of tonight’s game.
Tobias Harris, Shake Milton, Matisse Thybulle, and Terrence Ferguson were all listed as probable and even if only a couple of them are good to go, it’s an improvement from where the team has been.
Also listed as probable are Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. Obviously if one or both aren’t good to go it spells trouble for Philly. Especially if the missing party is Joel Embiid.
The Heat are still missing Butler, Bam Adebayo, Goran Dragic, and Kendrick Nunn so this game should be an easy one for Philly. That was the thought process going into the last game too and while the Sixers won, it was far from easy.
The focal point for Philadelphia will be, well, focus. That was the missing ingredient in the first half against Miami. Joel Embiid and especially Ben Simmons lacked focus leading to one of the hardest fought wins of the season for the Sixers.
To win this game the Sixers must treat this Heat team as if it were fully healthy. Do not play down to your opponents but play just as hard as if you were playing the Bucks or the Lakers. Only with that focus will this team win.
The conversation around tonight’s game will likely be around James Harden. More specifically, how both the Sixers and the Heat “failed” to acquire the generational talent. The focus for Sixers fans should remain on this team.
On Joel Embiid’s continuing MVP season. On the further development of Shake Milton and blazing rookie Tyrese Maxey. And of course, on Ben Simmons, specifically, if he can bounce back from his last game and return to winning basketball.
Sixers Tip-Off
The Sixers will tip-off against the Miami Heat tonight at 7:00 PM EST. You can catch the game on NBC Sports Philadelphia after they were fluxed out of their national spotlight on TNT in favor of the James Harden-less Houston Rockets.
(Adam Silver doesn’t care about the Sixers)
You can also listen live at 97.5 FM The Fanatic and the great Tom McGinnis!
Tonight will hopefully be stress-free for Philly as they look to build a winning streak yet again.
Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire
