With settling on a 2-4 record over the road trip, the Miami Heat are back home to host the rival Philadelphia 76ers. It will be the second night of a back-to-back following the Heat’s 119-110 loss to the Indiana Pacers. Tyler Herro’s 19-point fourth quarter heroics wasn’t enough to steal the win.
However, Miami has struggled even more at home than on the road. They come into tonight’s game with a 1-3 home record and 4-4 as the away team. The last game played inside the Kaseya Center featured them blow a second half double-digit lead to the Sacramento Kings.
The Heat’s home woes have carried over from last season, but they are hoping a potential Jimmy Butler return against a struggling 76ers team can get some momentum going. Butler has missed the last five games due to an ankle injury, and is expected to play tonight after being downgraded from questionable to OUT yesterday. Jaime Jaquez Jr. suffered an ankle sprain of his own against the Pacers on Sunday, and he is expecting to miss some time.
For the 76ers, Joel Embiid was downgraded to doubtful this morning because of an illness. They are also without the services of Tyrese Maxey, so Philly is going to need the supporting cast around Paul George to step up. Caleb Martin and Kyle Lowry will return to the Heat’s house, where both are likely penciled in with the starting lineup. It will be the first game in Miami that Martin plays in since his free agent departure this past summer.
Bam Adebayo should look to take advantage of Embiid’s absence and continue his efficient offensive stretch of late. Over the last three games, the big man is averaging nearly 25 points and 10 rebounds on 50%+ shooting, along with nearly 62% from 3-point range.
Injury Report (at the time of this publishing):
Miami Heat:
- NOT YET SUBMITTED
Philadelphia 76ers:
- Joel Embiid (illness) — Doubtful
- Tyrese Maxey (hamstring) — OUT
- Lester Quinones (g-league) — OUT
- Justin Edwards (g-league) — OUT
Projected Starting 5 (subject to change):
Miami Heat:
- Terry Rozier, G
- Tyler Herro, G
- Jimmy Butler, F
- Kevin Love, F
- Bam Adebayo, C
Philadelphia 76ers:
- Kyle Lowry, G
- Jared McCain, G
- Paul George, F
- Caleb Martin, F
- Andre Drummond, C
Broadcast Info:
- Tipoff: 7:30 PM EST
- TV: FanDuel Sports Network Sun (Eric Reid & John Crotty)
- 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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Tis is an important game. We need this one.