Philadelphia 76ers will be back home, this Wednesday night against the Miami Heat at the Wells Fargo Center. The Heat will be arriving in the overnight hours, following a 123-97 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. In that game, center Nikola Jovic had 24 points in a winning effort for Miami.
The Heat have lost three of its past five games, and previously they lost seven straight games. The big story is two key injuries. The first is forward Jimmy Butler is out for the game. Butler is out on leave after the death of a family member. The second is shooting guard, Terry Rozier. Rozier had an MRI on his left knee and was diagnosed with a sprained right knee. Rozier, will not return to the Heat until after the all-star break.
Miami Heat
So, who will pick up the scoring slack for Miami? Well, Bam Adebayo is shooting 51% from the field this year and is putting up the same career numbers that he did last year when he averaged 20 points a game. Point guard Tyler Herro is having a career season. Herro is averaging 21 ppg, as he is shooting 43% from the field and 40% from 3-point range. These two must have big nights against the 76ers, for them to have a chance at victory. Another starter for Miami Heat, shooting forward Caleb Martin, who is averaging 10 ppg.
Three bench players to watch out for tomorrow, forward, Kevin Love, who is averaging 9 points a game. Jamie Jaquez, who was back on Christmas Day scored 31 points and 10 rebounds in a Miami victory over the 76ers. Finally, one of the better 6th man in the NBA, forward Duncan Robinson, who is averaging 13 off the bench, and is shooting nearly 40% from the field.
As a team, Miami is 27th in scoring (110 ppg), 23rd in rebounds (42) and 21st in assists (26).
Philadelphia 76ers
The team is coming off an impressive road win, a 123-121 win at Cleveland. Kelly Oubre Jr., and Buddy Hield each scored 24 points. It was the team’s second consecutive victory. In his first three games since the trade, Hield is averaging 22 points and 7 assists per game.
Philadelphia will also have numerous players miss the Miami Heat game on Wednesday. Officially out, Joel Embiid (knee), Tobias Harris (hip), De’Anthony Melton (back), Nico Batum (hamstring), and Robert Covington (knee) are all out. The 76ers on Tuesday afternoon, signed Kyle Lowry. Lowry, a college standout at Villanova, signed with Philadelphia after a buyout agreement with the Charlotte Hornets. Lowry will not play against Miami, as he has not played a regular-season game since January 21st.
Philadelphia lost to the Miami Heat on Christmas Day, 119-113, ruining a nice night from Tobias Harris, who scored 27 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Philadelphia has lost four of their five previous games against Miami.
About the author
David has been following all types of sports since he was a kid. While Phillies baseball is his primary focus, David can talk about the Flyers, 76ers, Eagles, Union and college sports. He does computer work in Pennsylvania and does stats work for another sports company.
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