Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all! It’s the most wonderful time of year … especially when the Miami Heat is lacing it up on Christmas Day, like they are on Monday.
The Heat will play host to the red-hot Philadelphia 76ers in a Christmas Day showdown Monday inside Kaseya Center at 8:00 p.m. EST.
Miami’s won five of its last seven games and seven of its last 11, including a 122-113 victory Friday against the Atlanta Hawks. Tyler Herro led the Heat with 30 points on 7-of-13 shooting from deep and Duncan Robinson tallied 27 points on 8-of-11 shooting off the Heat bench. To check out our recap for that game, click here!
While an official status hasn’t been granted at the time of this post, Jimmy Butler–who’s missed each of the last two games due to injury–was upgraded to questionable ahead of Monday’s game.
The 76ers, however, will be without reigning MVP and current MVP candidate Joel Embiid due to a right ankle sprain. Embiid is on track to lead the NBA in scoring for the third straight season, averaging 35.0 points, 11.7 rebounds, six assists, 1.2 steals and a pair of blocks on 54.0 percent shooting and 65.1 percent true shooting. Over his previous nine games, Embiid was averaging 40.2 points, 12.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.4 steals and 2.1 blocks on 60.6 percent shooting.
Monday is the fourth game that Embiid will miss the season, with the Sixers going 0-3 over the previous three against the Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans and Boston Celtics; they were a combined minus-9.9 points per 100 possessions in those games, per PBP Stats.
Christmas Day also marks the first meeting between the Heat and 76ers this season. Miami won the season series last year 2-1, though Philadelphia bested Miami in their lone series matchup on the road 119-96 on March 1.
Can Erik Spoelstra maintain his perfect 8-0 record on Christmas? Only time will tell!
Injury Report (at the time of this publishing):
Miami Heat:
- Jimmy Butler (calf) — QUESTIONABLE
- Haywood Highsmith (illness) — QUESTIONABLE
- Josh Richardson (back) — PROBABLE
- Dru Smith (knee) — OUT
Philadelphia 76ers
- Mo Bamba (illness) — PROBABLE
- Nic Batum (hamstring) — OUT
- Ricky Council IV (G-League) — OUT
- Robert Covington (knee) — PROBABLE
- Joel Embiid (ankle) — OUT
- Terquavion Smith (G-League) — OUT
Projected Starting 5:
Miami Heat:
- Kyle Lowry, G
- Tyler Herro, G
- Jimmy Butler, F
- Caleb Martin, F
- Bam Adebayo, C
Philadelphia 76ers
- Tyrese Maxey, G
- Kelly Oubre Jr., G/F
- Tobias Harris, F
- Marcus Morris, F
- Paul Reed, C
Betting Lines (at the time of this publishing):
- Spread: Heat -3 (-110)
- O/U: 226
- Moneyline: Heat -146, Philadelphia 76ers
Check out those lines and more at Fanduel Sportsbook!
Broadcast Info:
- Tipoff: 8:00 PM EST
- TV: ESPN
- Radio: AM 560 Sports WQAM & The HEAT Radio Network (Jason Jackson)
- Spanish Radio: WAQI 710 AM & The HEAT Spanish Radio Network (José Pañeda)
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From a Philly fan…
“Miami doesn’t have that explosive of an offense. The Sixers have more firepower than the Heat do. Outside of Butler & Bam they don’t have anyone who could average 20 ppg in a season.”
Hasn’t been watching Heat games I guess and then making some uninformed remarks 🙄😬😆
Quite uninformed remarks, he has not heard of Herro.
Obviously, but at least admitted it.
Ask him how that “process” is goin?
I am watching to see hoe the Heat handle the size of Embiid. Warriors had no answer for the size of Jokic. Lakers make their run when Porzingis is on the bench.When is in the court Davies goes against a smaller defender and away from Porzingis. This has not been a game of point guards but size mismatch.
Merry Christmas all. Health, Happiness & Many Blessings to you & your families in the coming yr & thank you for this Heat community.
Merry Christmas
LOL 😆 Ira Winderman’s column today. Merry Christmas!
”Wait, Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson play defense, too? A whole new Heat reality”
Let’s hope a Heat win is under the Christmas tree 🎄
Let’s Go Heat!
No team is more dependent on its star than Philly. They are still competitive, but this is a team we can and should beat.
76ers are 0-3 when he doesn’t play. I have a feeling he is going to burn himself out or get injured before the playoffs. It will probably come down to Celtics, Bucks and Heat in the East, depending on if any blockbuster trades are made (e.g., Mitchell to Knicks, etc.).
brunsons a super star throw knicks in there
Embiid or no Embiid…go Heat!! Maxey might go supernova but we have the D to control the young star so its him vs our own Herro.
MERRY CHRISTMAS/HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!!!
Looking for a BIG WIN tonight, especially if Butler plays!
GO HEAT!!!