Before tonight, no team had yet managed to win away. We specify well “before this night”, because the Heat managed to win away from home (99-90), in this Game 6 disputed on the floor of the Sixers.
Carried by their duo Jimmy Butler (32 points, 8 rebounds) – Max Strus (20 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists), the Miami players took advantage of this to reach a new conference final, two years after the last. This time, they will play it either against Milwaukee or against Boston (as in the “bubble”, in 2020).
For Philadelphia, on the other hand, it is now time to go on vacation, after this ultimate logical and frustrating defeat. “Logical” because Erik Spoelstra’s men were superior from start to finish, especially from the second half. “Frustrating” because the combative Joel Embiid (20 points, 12 rebounds) was far from at his best and James Harden disappointed again.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
— Miami answered present. Florida’s ‘killer instinct’ proved its worth once again and, with a match point in their possession, Erik Spoelstra’s men were not to be expected to pass up the opportunity to kill this series. From the first minutes of this game, the Heat players did not hesitate to show that they were focused and ready to play the executioners of the Sixers. Besides Jimmy Butler, still impressive in these playoffs, Bam Adebayo, Max Strus, PJ Tucker and Gabe Vincent also did the job, as did Tyler Herro, Victor Oladipo or Dewayne Dedmon. Own.
— A devastating third quarter (25-15). If everything was going for the best in Miami, nothing was going in the direction of the Philadelphia players, when they returned from the locker room. Still in contact at the break, the teammates of Joel Embiid and James Harden were then unable to make a difference on half-court, against this stifling Florida defense, led by Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. A real basketball mush offered by the Sixers (excluding Shake Milton), eaten in intensity and whistled by their own audience. They who have, as a bonus, not been able to slow down Butler in attack: 14 points in the quarter.
— Danny Green’s injury. It’s the bad news of the night. Touched in the left knee after three short minutes of play, when he had a good start to the match (3 points and 1 interception, at 1/1 at 3-pts), the triple NBA champion was forced to return directly to the locker room , following his contact with Joel Embiid. Landing with all his weight on Green’s leg, Embiid caused a major twist of it and the first returns of the insiders Americans were anything but reassuring. At almost 35 years old, the back risks being confronted with the first serious injury of his career…
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ The duo Butler / Strus. As mentioned earlier, the majority of Heat players shone today. But we will especially remember the performances of Jimmy Butler and Max Strus, the leaders of their team on the offensive level. In turn, the two Florida exteriors took care of feeding the Miami brand, with award-winning baskets, half-distance baskets, baskets near the circle and free throws. A real pair of killers, who had no trouble getting rid of opposing defenders throughout this meeting.
✅ Joel Embiid. Impossible not to honor the Cameroonian pivot, for his last outing of the season. Because, despite his clumsiness (7/24 on shots and 2/8 on 3-pts), he never hid and continued to do everything for the good of his team. Dented everywhere, he also did not hesitate to throw himself on each ball, like Tyrese Maxey. Even if it means taking the risk of aggravating his injuries, which have not failed to handicap him throughout this series. Still not named MVP and eliminated from the playoffs by the back door, Embiid is bound to ruminate on his frustration for a few more days…
⛔ James Harden. It makes you wonder if the 2018 MVP has grasped the challenge of this Game 6. Because, even if he made his stats, Harden was hugely disappointed after the break. Both in his attitude, far too casual on certain offensive and defensive actions or on the rebound, and in his way of playing, comparable to that of a simple “role player” and not that of an All-Star. With Joel Embiid’s injuries, the former Rockets player was expected at the turn, but he behaved like Philadelphia’s fourth offensive option (9 shots attempted…). An indigestible performance and far from being to the taste of his audience, who booed him…
THE FOLLOWING
Vacations for Philadelphia, the conference final for Miami (against Milwaukee or Boston).
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