NBA
Game 1: Adebayo scores 24 points, Heat power through struggling 76ers 106-92
Game 1: Adebayo scores 24 points, Heat power through struggling 76ers 106-92
- Heat
- 76ers
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SportsWriters
Miami Heat All-Star center Bam Adebayo took advantage of the Philadelphia 76ers’ defense with Joel Embiid’s absence in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinal at FTX Arena. Adebayo finished with 24 points, 12 rebounds and four assists in 33 minutes.
Miami’s performance against the Sixers on Monday night was below expectation and coach Erik Spoelstra just wanted to focus on the next game.
“You don’t want to add more context to anything,” Spoelstra said after the game. “You want to stay in the present moment. It’s really just trying to do whatever you have to do to get to the next game, or the game at hand.
Meanwhile, Sixers coach Doc Rivers acknowledged that his team was struggling without Embiid. Joel Embiid, the Finalist for the MVP award, wasn’t in Miami as he recovers from an orbital fracture and concussion, injuries he sustained after Philadelphia’s victory over Toronto in the first round. It’s unlikely he’ll play in Game 2.
“We’re working with a small margin for error, so we can’t give a team 13 extra shots on the road without Joel and think we’re going to win a game.”
Philadelphia got 27 points from Tobias Harris, 19 points from Tyrese Maxey, and 16 points, nine rebounds, and five assists from James Harden
The Cameroonian star center is still in recovery from an orbital fracture and concussion following first round series against the Toronto Raptors.
DeAndre Jordan replaced Embiid and had four points and two rebounds in 17 minutes. Rivers hinted that he would play Jordan if Embiid could not play.
“We like DJ, we’re going to keep starting him whether you like it or not,” Rivers added. “That’s what we’re gonna do because our guys believe in him.”
Game 2 will be held on Wednesday in Miami.
"It's just about trying to go out and putting together your best game plan to win that game. And that's what we'll focus on the next 48 hours -- is just on Game 2."
- Erik Spoelstra
26
How many points The Heat outscored the Sixers when Bam Adebayo was on the floor.
"Very similar to the[first round against Toronto, in that we told our guys they can't have more rebounds than us, they can't force turnovers because they can't have more shots than us,"
- Doc Rivers
7
The number of 3-pt shots Georges Niang missed as he went 0 for 7
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Tyler Herro scores 25 points, Heat take Game 1 over 76ers #123INFO
Tyler Herro scores 25 points, Heat take Game 1 over 76ers http://dlvr.it/SPfjt7
Tyler Herro scores 25 points, Heat take Game 1 over 76ers http://dlvr.it/SPfjsZ via @foxnews
MIAMI — Tyler Herro scored 25 points, Bam Adebayo finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds, and the Miami Heat topped the shorthanded Philadelphia 76ers 106-92 on Monday night in the opener of their Eastern Conference semifinal series.
The 76ers were without Joel Embiid, the MVP finalist who isn't even in Miami while recovering from an orbital fracture and concussion