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76ers Highlights: Oubre, Harris Efforts Quieted in Loss

Despite efforts from Kelly Oubre and Tobias Harris, the Sixers lost to the Heat.
Declan Harris|
76ers Highlights: Oubre, Harris Efforts Quieted in Loss
76ers Highlights: Oubre, Harris Efforts Quieted in Loss

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Philadelphia 76ersMiami Heat

On Monday night, the Philadelphia 76ers took on the Miami Heat, looking to build off of their win against the Toronto Raptors last week.

While reigning MVP Joel Embiid had himself a night against Toronto, the same couldn't be said on Christmas day, as the Cameroonian superstar sat out with an ankle injury.

In games where Embiid has been out, the Sixers have struggled, losing all three so far, which would extend into Monday night, as they fell to the Heat, 113-119.

Similarly to their start against the Raptors, the Sixers came out of the gates slow, only managing to score 22 points in the first quarter, which would put them in a four point deficit to the Heat.

These struggles would carry into halftime as Miami led Philadelphia, 63-49, with Tyler Herro putting on a show, scoring 16 points in the opening two quarters.

While they appeared to be slow in the first half, the Sixers came out strong in the third quarter, bridging the gap to end the third quarter tied with the Heat at 86 points.

This energy would stay alive for the most part in the fourth quarter, as the Sixers would start the quarter on top, before starting to trail behind further and further as the period progressed.

For the second straight game, Tobias Harris managed to be a threat for the Sixers, scoring 14 in the first half alone.

Harris would continue to apply pressure to the Heat, scoring 13 across the final two quarters, which includes four makes from beyond the arch, ending the night with 27 points.

The 31-year-old wasn't the only wing player to be a problem for the Heat, as Kelly Oubre Jr went off, providing the Sixers with a constant stream of offense throughout the match.

In the opening quarter, while some of his teammates struggled, Oubre put up seven points, which would slow down slightly in the second quarter, as he only managed to add three points to his tally.

Yet, the third quarter is where the 28-year-old would truly find his stride, nearly doubling his scoring numbers, as he put up nine points.

While Oubre put on a masterclass on the offensive end, putting up a total of 25 points, he also proved to be a menace on defense, blocking one shot and recording one steal.

As Embiid sat out, Sixers head coach Nick Nurse opted to use a combination of Paul Reed and Mo Bamba to fill his shoes.

While Reed would put up his usual stat line of four points, and seven rebounds, Bamba would make the most of his playing time.

Bamba proved to be quite the tool on the offensive end, scoring 18 points, which includes a shot from downtown.

Elsewhere on the court, Tyrese Maxey had a rather forgettable night, only managing to score 12 points, which was leagues above where he found himself at halftime, when he had no points to his name.

Following Monday's loss, the Sixers travel to the Amway Center, where they're set to take on a rather in-form Orlando Magic, who sit below them by three games in the Eastern Conference standings.

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Declan Harris
DECLAN HARRIS

Declan Harris is a writer for FanNation's All76ers powered by Sports Illustrated Media Group. In addition to his role covering the Sixers, Declan also writes for CityXtra, covering Manchester City F.C. He is a 2023 Temple University Lew Klein School of Media and Communications graduate. 

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