Maxey 34 Not Enough in Game 2 Loss
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
By Andrew Rosario
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
Unlike the Boston Celtics in their game one loss against the Milwaukee Bucks, the Miami Heat did what they had to do against the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. Fresh off a 25-point performance by Tyler Herro off the bench, the Heat took game one at FTX Arena. The next day, Herro was named the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year. Philly, for the second straight game would be without center Joel Embiid who is expected to be named the league’s Most League’s Most valuable player. Philly was hoping to get more out of guard James Harden who only scored 16 points on 5 of 13 shooting, missing on 5 of 7 3-pointers.
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
The 76ers kept pace with Miami for most of the first quarter tying the game at 24 after a Tobias Harris hook shot. Then, that man picked up right where he left off in game one. Herro drains a 3-pointer and finishes off the quarter with a lay-up giving the Heat a 31-24 lead. Herro would add 9 more points (3 of 4 3-pointers in all) in the second quarter as Miami took an 8-point (60-52) lead at halftime.
The closest Philadelphia would get in the third quarter was 4-points after a Harris lay-up. Miami turned up their offense going up by as many as 15 (73-58) closing out the quarter 91-80. Victory Oladipo and Bam Adebayo scoring 7 points each. The fourth quarter was merely a formality as the Heat outscored the Sixers 28-23 in the 119-103 win taking a
2-0 series lead.
The Sixers wasted a brilliant performance by guard Tyrese Maxey who led all scorers with 34-points on 12-22 field goals and 9-11 free throws. Harris finished with 21. Once again, Harden was timid taking only 15 shots, making 6 and missing on 5 of 6 shots from downtown.
Sixers head coach Doc Rivers does not know the status of Embiid for game 3 when the series move to Philadelphia Friday night. “I really don’t know,” said Rivers. “We talked Tuesday and we talked Wednesday. He looked good, as far as talking. But he’s got so many steps to go through and l don’t think he’s cleared any of them right now. So we just have to wait and see.”
Miami’s Head coach Erik Spoelstra is preparing as if Embiid will play and knows he can make a big difference for a Philly team that has been struggling to score and play defense. “It changes dramatically,” said Spoelstra. “You’re talking MVP talent. So, we’ll just have to wait and see.”
Ex-Miami Heat guard Dwayne was in attendance and got a rousing ovation when he appeared on the giant screen. Expect Philadelphia to trot out won of their famous past players (Dr. J?) in hopes of firing up the team to a win in game 3.
