NBA: Without Joel Embiid, 76ers thump Heat
FILE–Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers. Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images/AFP
Tyrese Maxey, who was inserted into the starting lineup in place of injured star Joel Embiid, finished with game-highs of 27 points and seven assists to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 119-96 win over the host Miami Heat on Wednesday night.
Philadelphia improved to 9-4 this season without Embiid, who sat out with a sore left foot. Embiid ranks second in the NBA with a 33.0 scoring average.
The 76ers, who snapped a two-game skid that included a home loss to the Heat, also got 23 points, seven rebounds and five assists from James Harden. Reserve Paul Reed added 16 points, a game-high 14 rebounds and two blocks.
Miami, which had a height advantage, lost for the fifth time in its past six games.
Opening a season-long six-game homestand, the Heat were led by Bam Adebayo (20 points, eight rebounds). Jimmy Butler added 16 points, but he had just six after the first quarter.
activate: Tyrese takeover 😈 pic.twitter.com/e7ntvrttdf
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) March 2, 2023
Miami was without starting point guard Kyle Lowry (knee) for the 10th straight game.
With Embiid out, the first quarter was played at a fast pace, with Miami emerging with a 38-34 lead. Both teams shot 63.6 percent from the floor, and Maxey and Butler were the top scorers with 10 points each.
Harden, after just two points in the first quarter, scored 15 in the second as Philadelphia raced to a 71-53 halftime lead. The 76ers in the second quarter had a 13-0 run, shooting 7 of 11 on 3-pointers and 12 for 12 from the foul line. Miami, meanwhile, cooled off, shooting just 26.3 percent from the floor, including 1 of 8 on 3-pointers.
Philadelphia raised its advantage by one point in the third, leading 96-77. Maxey scored the 76ers’ final eight points of the period.
The Sixers, who cruised in the fourth quarter, shot 49.4 percent from the floor for the game. Philadelphia also shot 15 of 39 on 3-pointers (38.5 percent) and used its speed to gain a 26-7 advantage on fast-break points.
Miami, which has won eight of its past 10 home games, shot just 7 of 29 on 3-pointers (24.1 percent).
