The Philadelphia 76ers head to Miami on Monday night to take on the Heat in the second game in a three-game road trip.
The Sixers may be without All-Star center Joel Embiid, who’s battling an illness that affected Andre Drummond over the weekend. The Heat have been waiting on the return of Jimmy Butler, who’s missed the past four games with an ankle injury. Regardless of who suits up, the Sixers absolutely need a win in Miami.
Sixers game information
Who: Philadelphia 76ers (2-10) at Miami Heat (5-7)
When: 7:30 pm EST
Where: Kaseya Center, Miami FL
Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia, NBA League Pass, Bally Sports Sun
Latest on the Sixers
The Sixers enter Monday night’s contest against the Heat as the second-worst team in their division, conference, and the entire league. For a team with such high aspirations after an active offseason, they’ve yet to put it together. They’ve dealt with injuries to Paul George and Tyrese Maxey as well as whatever the ever-changing Joel Embiid situation as well as his three-game suspension. In the absence of stars, the team has not looked good.
The one piece that’s been shining brightly for the Sixers has been rookie Jared McCain who’s been given more minutes in the absence of Tyrese Maxey and shown that he belongs in the league and importantly, the starting lineup. McCain has been the Sixers’ best player and it’s not even close. He’s averaging 26.2 points per game on 47.9% shooting from the field, 44% on his three-point attempts, and he hasn’t missed a free throw all season.
The Sixers will need him to continue his hot streak, while hoping Paul George and the rest of the team get settled in and start playing like the team they were expected to be. They rank near the bottom in almost every category, on both sides of the ball, and haven’t shown any sign of climbing out of it. If Embiid isn’t able to go tonight, the team needs to evaluate how they’re handling him this season before it’s too far gone.
Latest on the Heat
The Heat are at home after a disheartening loss to the Pacers on Sunday. Both games against Indiana were played without Jimmy Butler, who’s been battling an ankle injury and has missed the last four games. The Heat did a good job on Friday night of holding the Pacers shooting percentage down and failed at that on Sunday. They’ll need to be on top of their game if they’re going to hold back McCain and George, especially with Butler not yet cleared for tonight’s game.
Tyler Herro has been pretty consistent over his career in regards to his 20 points per game as well as his shooting, 44% from the floor and 39% on his three-pointe attempts. This season, in the twelve games they’ve played, he’s taken it to another level. The Heat guard is averaging 24.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game. The most important part is that he’s shooting 49.5% from the floor and a ridiculous 47.4% on his three-point attempts. Herro, when combined with a returning Butler, as well as Bam Adebayo, Duncan Robinson, Nikola Jovic, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kevin Love, and Terry Rozier give the Heat a formidable team that should be tough toward the playoffs.
What to watch for
With this current Sixers team, the surprise is always who’s going to be playing that night. For the team tonight, maybe Embiid will play or maybe he won’t. Will Paul George be the player the team saw against the Knicks who dropped 29 points and 10 rebounds or the struggling PG who had 13 points against the Magic?
The one thing you can count on is Jared McCain showing up and showing out. From what he’s shown, McCain will be good for between 24-30 points, a few rebounds and assists, while shooting well and providing the team with energy throughout. Whether that translates to his teammates, remains to be seen.
Prediction
Sixers 94 – Heat 103
Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
