PHILADELPHIA, PA — Fresh off a win over the Bucks in Milwaukee, the Philadelphia 76ers returned home for the first game of two at home, hosting the Miami Heat Sunday afternoon. The Sixers would continue their shorthanded streak, as they were once again without Joel Embiid, Kelly Oubre and Adem Bona; all of whom would have been helpful in this matchup.
Without the size Embiid and Bona provide, the Sixers were at a severe disadvantage against Bam Adebayo and Kel'el Ware. The bigs for Miami combined for 38 points and 29 rebounds as they were joined by a 32-piece by Norman Powell.
Philadelphia struggled to defend the paint throughout the matchup, allowing Miami to score 72 points in the paint.
Offensively, the Sixers were once again led by Tyrese Maxey, who, for the 14th time in 16 games, scored over 25 points, dropping 27 against the Heat. Andre Drummond impressed with 14 points and 23 rebounds, but the Sixers as a team failed to maximize on second chances.
Drummond's admirable performance was contrasted by just how small the Sixers were without him.
"The size was just a little too much for our other guys tonight with what we had out there,' Sixers head coach Nick Nurse said after the game. "We tried to do as much as we could, matching [Drummond] with [Ware's] minutes. But again, [Ware] was just a little too long and bouncy down there for us for most of the game."
Despite holding their own in the third quarter, the Sixers failed to rekindle the fourth-quarter matchup that has carried them throughout this season.
Miami is no slouch in the East, even without star Tyler Herro, but the Sixers cannot simply turn their cheek and expect to be healthier next time. While Embiid's right knee is progressing, he's still considered day-to-day, and a return date is unknown.
Up next for the Sixers
The Philadelphia 76ers will return to the Xfinity Mobile Arena Tuesday night for an NBA Cup matchup against the Orlando Magic. The game is set to tip off at 8 p.m. EST.
