(Mandatory credit: Imagn Images)
The Miami Heat have lost seven of their last eight games, following their second straight embarrassing performance this past weekend.
They suffered another near-20-point blowout loss on Sunday to the 15th seed (and tanking) Indiana Pacers. It was yet another rock bottom and inexcusable moment that only further solidified their inevitable play-in fate. Miami is now at 39-36 overall and sit in the Eastern Conference’s ninth seed— .5 games back of eighth, and two full games behind the seventh seed Philadelphia 76ers— who are their next opponent for Monday night.
It will be the second leg of a back-to-back set for the Heat, and will travel back home to the Kaseya Center to host Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and co. after a brief 1-2 road trip. The Heat and Sixers are split at a 1-1 record against each other this season, with this game being the tie breaker for their third and final matchup.
With just seven games remaining, Miami somehow jumping from 2.5 games behind the sixth seed to avoid the play-in now seems unattainable. They have buried themselves back into this hole with the constant inconsistencies in the win column throughout this year. Still, these final outings to finish the regular season are still good to solidify rotations— if any sort of play-in to postseason run becomes a possibility.
Miami’s injury report is not yet released, but the status of Norman Powell will be monitored. Powell was sidelined Sunday in Indiana due to an illness and back pain. Tonight’s game against Philadelphia will be nationally televised on Peacock.
Injury Report (at the time of this publishing):
Philadelphia 76ers:
- Johni Brooke (knee) — OUT
Miami Heat:
- NOT YET SUBMITTED.
Projected Starting 5 (subject to change):
Philadelphia 76ers:
- Tyrese Maxey, G
- VJ Edgecombe, G
- Paul George, F
- Dominick Barlow, F
- Joel Embiid, C
Miami Heat:
- Davion Mitchell, G
- Tyler Herro, G
- Norman Powell, G/F
- Andrew Wiggins, F
- Bam Adebayo, C
Broadcast Info:
- Tipoff: 7:00 PM EST
- TV: Peacock
- Radio: AM 560 Sports WQAM & The HEAT Radio Network (Jason Jackson)
- Spanish Radio: WAQI 710 AM & The HEAT Spanish Radio Network (José Pañeda)
Come back to Hot Hot Hoops at game time to join our GameThread and chat about the game live with other Heat fans!
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This is going to be a tough one, no question about it. I would say there is no reason on this earthly abode for us to win this game but that’s why we will. Except, that wouldn’t make much sense now, would it?
Its not that winning games after last disaster games is important.
But because its Philly, and those Philly fans are the least lovable creatures in the universe (along with NY fans). Therefore winning this one would create a little bit of satisfaction.
I m not sure, what crowd in Miami would do if the Heat would get 80 in one half again.
A win would be huge, would give MIA the season tiebreaker over PHI and would ruin the momentum and positive press the 76ers are getting right now, can’t imagine any better motivation for the Heat in this game
Philly would fall back on earth, Heat would be still deep in the hole. Nothing huge here.
That’s optimistic Christian right there lmao. Only people who think like that are brainwashed pat Riley glazers. Wanting this team in the playoffs is idiot thinking
Yes, everyone knows that Cam Thomas (currently available) is better than anyone on the Heat and that the NBA playoffs are an event best avoided
The Heat should instead travel back in time to 2020 to draft Tyrese Maxey and to 2025 to deliberately lose the play in games for a 2% chance to draft VJ Edgecombe
This entire team is made up of cam thomas, you delusional statboy lmao…….a team full of 3/4 options on a championship team, one way no defense playing players (even bam) .only hyped because Pat spo and the organization has this fanbase brainwashed into thinking they have better players than what they really are. I mean guess that’s why they can’t trade none of these ss Mia have
Embiid is going to drop 40 on Bam’s head
The Sixers are battling to get out of the play-in. The Heat have virtually no chance to do that. The Sixers would get several days of rest if they secure 6th, which would be important for Embiid especially. But, on any given day…….
Line is PHI -2. Sixers won the last matchup with fast starts from Maxey and Embiid and 50-36 in the paint.
Miami 11-4 on back to backs, among the best in the league, big test here
76ers have 36.6% chance to make top 6
Heat 8.5%