El Miami Heat I shined again to put a brake on Joel Embiid y James Harden. The team led by Jimmy Butler rolled over the 76ers 85-120 to get within a game of victory in the series.
Victor Oladipo signed 13 points for Miami, which featured 12 from Bam Adebayo and 10 from Tyler Herro and PJ Tucker. The Heat, the top seed in the East, lead the conference semifinals 3-2 and better than 6-0 at home in the playoffs.
The margin of victory of 35 points tied for the most in these playoffs – Philadelphia beat Toronto by 35 in the first round – and tied for the second-most in Heat postseason history.
EMbiid scored 17 points for fourth-seeded Philadelphia, that counted with 14 of James Harden and Tobias Harris 12. The Sixers trailed by 15 entering the fourth quarter and allowed 12 straight points to start the quarter.
It was a tough night overall for the Sixers, especially for Embiid — their best player, who had to wear a protective mask because of a facial fracture and was dealing with a thumb injury.
Embiid was shocked in the first period when he dove toward the seats while trying to save a fumble. He stayed in the game after that scare. He suffered a scare again and stayed in the game.
El jAfter 6 is Thursday in Philly. Win or nothing for the 76ers and a chance for the Heat to advance.
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