Miami Heat-Philadelphia 76ers Preview: Can Heat Stay Hot In Crucial Game Against Rival?

What to look for in Miami Heat’s Monday night game in Philadelphia

Author:
Nick Crandell
Mar 18, 2024 7:48 AM EDT

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With 15 games remaining, the Miami Heat (37-30) are in a dogfight within the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

Miami sits just a half game behind the sixth-seeded Indiana Pacers and tied for seventh place with the Philadelphia 76ers (37-30), Monday night’s opponent.

The Heat arrive in Philadelphia following a 104-101 win against the Detroit Pistons yesterday.

Bam Adebayo was phenomenal, tallying 20 points, 17 rebounds and a 30-foot, game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer. Duncan Robinson scored 30 points and became the fastest player to reach 1000 career 3-pointers in NBA history.

The Sixers last played on Saturday night, beating the Charlotte Hornets 109-98. Tyrese Maxey and Kelly Oubre Jr. led the team with 30 and 22 points, respectively.

Previous Matchups

This is the third of four matchups between the teams, with the Heat winning the first two.

In Game 1, Jaime Jaquez Jr. put on a show on Christmas Day. The Heat rookie posted 31 points and 10 rebounds, both career highs. Adebayo totaled 26 points, 15 rebounds and five assists in the 119-113 win.

Tobias Harris (27 points) and Oubre (25) led the scoring punch for the Sixers. Maxey struggled with 12 points on 4 of 20 shooting and 1 of 8 from three.

It was a balanced offensive attack for the Heat in their 109-104 win in Game 2. Adebayo and Tyler Herro each had 23 points while Robinson finished with 20 points including five 3-pointers. Haywood Highsmith added 16 points off the bench.

Maxey bounced back with 30 points, seven assists and six rebounds. Trade deadline acquisition Buddy Hield posted a 22-point, 10 assist performance in the narrow loss.

Opposing Players to Watch

With reigning MVP Joel Embiid still sidelined, Maxey and Oubre have been forced to step up for the Sixers.

Maxey is averaging 26.0 points, 6.2 assists, and 3.7 rebounds while shooting 44.9 percent and 38.2 percent from three. The 6-foot-2 point guard has scored 30 points in each of his last two games.

Oubre has been a solid contributor all season, but elevated his game since Embiid’s injury on Jan 30. The 27-year-old forward is averaging 17.1 points and 5.3 rebounds since then. He has scored at least 18 points in seven of his last eight games.

Key Matchup

Tyrese Maxey vs. Terry Rozier

Both Maxey and Rozier have the ability to score themselves and set up their teammates.

Maxey is having a breakout season, averaging a career-high in minutes, points and assists along with making his first All-Star team.

Rozier has settled in nicely with the Heat since being acquired on Jan. 23. The 6-foot-1 point guard is averaging 17.1 points and 5.6 assists over his last eight games. He tallied 17 points, nine assists and six rebounds in his most recent game.