The Sixers had won 17 games in a row including Game 1, using a combination of ball movement, shooting and defense to roast every team in their path. Monday, Wade made the Sixers’ defense feel more like the team that won 10 games all season just two years ago.
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When a team lives by the three, as the Sixers have so far this postseason, they will also die by the three when it’s not falling, and this adage range true in game two, as the team only made seven of their 36 shots from behind the arch at the Wells Fargo Center. “Now that they’ve experienced it and that we’ve all experienced it as a group, I think we’ll be better off because of it”. Ben Simmons is right behind him, hauling in 9.4 caroms per contest. It may not be long before head coach Brett Brown can reinsert Embiid back into the lineup, perhaps as early as Monday or Thursday.
Redick explained after the game that being physical with Simmons got the 76ers out of rhythm in the second quarter, when they scored 13 points on a miserable 4-for-21 shooting from the field. The two teams split the season series, with the Sixers coming out on top twice, both in Philly, and the Heat twice, both in Miami.
The Heat had to have this one – a brooding Joel Embiid is angling for a comeback. But once again, with Stephen Curry watching from the sideline, Andre Iguodala (14 points) and JaVale McGee (10 points) played extremely well on the offensive and defensive end to frustrate the Spurs.
“As you would expect after being off how ever many weeks not playing, it’s going to take time getting his fitness up”. Can the 76ers steal one back in Miami?
“We played Game 1 like a regular-season game and tonight was a playoff game”, Wade said. It’s definitely a gene thing with me, and I love it. The 76ers look to still be without Embiid for game 3, and Whiteside has to dominate the paint inside.
“So here we go”, Brown said. He posted on Snapchat that he was exhausted of being babied and later told ESPN that he’s not sure if he’ll able to play in Game 3 either.
“For me to step on the court and have him be on the same floor is special”, Simmons said, adding he worked out with Wade a few summers ago.
“He just wants to play basketball, he wants to be with his team; he wants to see this through”, Brown told reporters.
“It was my pre-mortem”, said Brown.
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Draymond Green began 0 for 5 before his first basket on the opening possession of the fourth quarter and Durant missed his five 3-point tries in the first half then finally hit from deep early in the third.
