The Philadelphia 76ers missed an opportunity to move into the 5 seed in the East on Saturday when they fell to the Boston Celtics while also losing a game in the race for the 3 seed. Monday offers a new opportunity for them to make some ground up in the Eastern Conference standings.
Their opponent on Monday is the Miami Heat as they continue their four-game road trip. The Heat won a thriller last time the Sixers were in South Beach as they were able to steal victory from the jaws of defeat. Philadelphia has proven they can steal wins and rise to the occasion, so this will be another test for them.
With that said, it’s now time for the guide to this one:
How to watch Sixers vs. Heat
- Date: Monday, February 3
- Time: 7:30 p.m. EST
- Location: American Airlines Arena Miami, FL
- TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia+, NBATV
Injury Report
- Sixers: OUT: Josh Richardson (left hamstring strain)
- Heat: OUT: Justise Winslow (lower back bone bruise)
Storylines
Keeping an eye on the standings
With the loss to Boston on Saturday, the Sixers are now three games back of the Celtics for the 3 seed and they are also three games back of the Heat for the 4 seed. As they head into Monday’s matchup, the Sixers have a new opportunity to gain some ground and get a game on Miami for home-court advantage in the playoffs. The game is also critical for tiebreakers as the Sixers can finish with a 2-2 season series tie with a win. Veteran Al Horford understands the importance of the standings right now.
“It’s very important,” Horford added. “We were counting on tonight. We weren’t able to get it done and now we have a very difficult one going into Miami and all of our focus has to be on that and start making up some ground. It starts with that Miami game.”
Reacting to Embiid’s struggles
In Saturday’s loss in Boston, Joel Embiid struggled mightly shooting just 1-for-11 and it caused some reactions from his Sixers teammates. In his defense, it was just his third game back after missing nine games with the hand issues, but the Celtics also sent a lot of double teams his way to throw him out of his rhythm.
“They doubled and whatnot,” said Tobias Harris. “I just think it was tough for him to get into a rhythm and get going. We’ve got to find a way to get him some easy baskets, get him some momentum plays because we know when he’s going, it makes us a better team.”
Prediction
The Sixers have been an up and down team all season, but it is in their nature to show up in big games that they absolutely need and this one falls in that category. They cannot lose another game in the standings in the race for the home-court advantage in the East and they also can’t drop three of the four games with Miami. They need to at least earn a split in the season series. This is the type of game the team would win when it’s needed.
Pick: Truly a tough one, but going with the Sixers
Sixers vs. Heat season series
Game 1 November 23: 113-86 Sixers
Game 2 December 18: 108-104 Heat
Game 3 December 28: 117-116 Heat OT
Game 4 February 3:
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