Heat vs. 76ers: Play-by-play, highlights and reactions

The Miami Heat (47-24) play against the Philadelphia 76ers (27-27) at Wells Fargo Center Game Time: 7:00 PM EDT on Monday March 21, 2022 Miami Heat 0, Philadelphia 76ers 0 (7:30 pm ET) What’s the buzz on Twitter? Ky Carlin @ Ky_Carlin With Paul …

The Miami Heat (47-24) play against the Philadelphia 76ers (27-27) at Wells Fargo Center

Game Time: 7:00 PM EDT on Monday March 21, 2022

Miami Heat 0, Philadelphia 76ers 0 (7:30 pm ET)

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
With Paul Millsap starting tonight, here’s part 2 of my 1-on-1 with Millsap as we talked mentoring, the Embiid vs. Jokic debate, and his game day routine #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/lists/paul-mil… via @SixersWire7:06 PM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
76ers opening with a lineup of Tyrese Maxey, Matisse Thybulle, Tobias Harris, Georges Niang and Paul Millsap. – 7:05 PM
Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Paul Millsap gets the start at center in Joel Embiid’s place. – 7:05 PM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Jimmy Butler back in the Heat staring lineup, alongside Bam Adebayo, P.J. Tucker, Duncan Robinson and Kyle Lowry. Butler last played last Tuesday, when he sprained his right ankle in the first half against the Pistons. – 7:04 PM
Gina Mizell @ginamizell
With Embiid and Harden both out tonight, here is the Sixers’ starting lineup:
Maxey
Thybulle
Harris
Niang
Millsap – 7:04 PM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
76ers starting Maxey, Thybulle, Millsap, Niang and Harris.
Heat with its usual starting five of Lowry, Butler, Robinson, Tucker and Adebayo. – 7:03 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Sixers starters: Niang, Harris, Millsap, Thybulle and Maxey – 7:01 PM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Doc Rivers provides updates on James Harden and Joel Embiid as they are out for tonight’s game #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2022/03/21/doc… via @SixersWire7:01 PM
Justin Grasso @JGrasso_
Paul Millsap and Georges Niang are starting tonight #Sixers7:01 PM
Miami Heat @MiamiHEAT
Back in black.
Starting 5 // @DoorDash pic.twitter.com/eL4za3Vist7:00 PM

Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
Bridgewater excited to be back in Miami, quiet on his role
apnews.com/article/miami-…6:53 PM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
Heat and Victor Oladipo continue to stress patience following his return miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia… Oladipo: “I have to be extremely patient with myself, my body and understand it’s a unique situation for myself.” – 6:43 PM
Miami Heat @MiamiHEAT
We’re an hour away from our 4th and final regular season matchup with the Sixers.
See who’s in/out of the lineup on both sides plus a few more game notes ⬇️ gohe.at/3D400aj6:31 PM
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
About an hour away from tonight’s #NBAStrategyStream for MIA/PHI live on League Pass with @Danny Leroux!
Taking your questions live on air, send yours in using #NBAStrategyStream6:30 PM
Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
Erik Spoelstra on the Miami Hurricanes, Coach L, Chris Caputo and more. pic.twitter.com/NFePloSqXE6:29 PM

Philadelphia 76ers @sixers
guess whose shoes…👀
👟 @SoleSavy6:26 PM
Wes Goldberg @wcgoldberg
Asked Spo if Markieff Morris playing the 5 will be more matchup-based going forward.
“These next 11 games will be important… I just want to be open to all the possibilities, whatever makes the most sense. Once you get into the playoffs, a lot of it does become matchup based.” pic.twitter.com/xBLMrYiojj6:22 PM

Miami Heat @MiamiHEAT
“We’re slowly turning the 305 and South Florida into a #BasketballTown, and @CanesHoops are a part of that.” – Coach Spo – 6:21 PM
Jason Dumas @JDumasReports
I know they’ve come on back to backs but I think the rest management against the Heat is also a bit of gamesmanship from the Sixers. Avoiding putting stuff on tape for the Heat’s staff to study ahead of potential playoff matchup. – 6:17 PM
Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
Erik Spoelstra just lauded what Jim Larranaga and his staff have done at Miami, then said he’d love to see Coach L — whenever the day comes — groom Chris Caputo to be the next Miami coach, much in the same way that Pat Riley executed his coaching transition in 2008. – 6:12 PM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
Erik Spoelstra says Heat still has things it’s working on as it prepares for the start of the playoffs. “We can see the light at the end of the tunnel. … We want to gear up. Want to get ready.” – 6:07 PM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Spoelstra confirms that Jimmy Butler is playing tonight against 76ers Lite. – 6:04 PM
Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305
Erik Spoelstra confirms Jimmy Butler and Caleb Martin are good to go tonight – 6:04 PM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Spoelstra on Embiid and Harden (when they do play), “it’s a great fit, their games complement each other.” – 6:03 PM
John Hollinger @johnhollinger
Back here in the Delf watching Omer Yurtseven and Tyler Herro put in work. Already a murmur of excited anticipation in here ahead of Paul Reed Liberation Night. pic.twitter.com/3haA8WaMOp6:03 PM

Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Erik Spoelstra says there’s no update from this morning, when Jimmy Butler was going to warm up tonight with the expectation of playing against his former team tonight. – 6:02 PM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
Jimmy Butler and Caleb Martin both available for the Heat tonight, per Erik Spoelstra. – 6:02 PM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Report: Heat could land Bradley Beal this summer nba.nbcsports.com/2022/03/21/rep…6:00 PM
Noah Levick @NoahLevick
From Doc Rivers:
-Harden and Embiid being out not related to any setbacks
-Thinks rotation talk is overblown. Most focused on how team plays with stars
-39 MPG for Harden since last game he sat more than team wants moving forward, though also important to ramp up for playoffs – 5:58 PM
Austin Krell @NBAKrell
Harden did not suffer a setback, Rivers says. Just a precautionary night off given his hamstring history. – 5:52 PM
Bob Garcia @bgarciaivsports
Gilbert Arenas blasts the #76ers for their handling of the Ben Simmons situation.
#NBA
sportscasting.com/gilbert-arenas…5:52 PM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Doc Rivers said holding players out does not have anything to do with not showing hand ahead of possible playoff series against Heat. – 5:50 PM
Justin Grasso @JGrasso_
Doc Rivers makes it clear that James Harden hasn’t had by setbacks. His absence tonight is just the team being cautious #Sixers5:49 PM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Doc Rivers says there’s no setback with James Harden. Just a precaution to hold him out. #Sixers5:49 PM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
Doc Rivers says of Heat: “They’re just good.” – 5:49 PM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Doc Rivers on Heat, “They’re just good, deep, a lot of veterans.” – 5:49 PM
Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
Doc Rivers on if we’ll see Paul Reed or Charles Bassey tonight, playing it closer to the vest: “Probably.” – 5:49 PM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
Doc Rivers says Embiid has been dealing with back soreness and the 76ers are being cautious with Harden’s hamstring issue. Both Embiid and Harden are out tonight vs. Heat on the second night of a back-to-back for the 76ers. – 5:48 PM
Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#Sixers coach Doc Rivers on Joel Embiid and James Harden sitting out vs #Heat: pic.twitter.com/GERx6A2z2V5:48 PM

Austin Krell @NBAKrell
Doc says Paul Reed and Charles Bassey are probably in line for some minutes tonight. – 5:48 PM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Doc Rivers says Harden and Embiid nursing nagging injuries, back for Embiid, hamstring for Harden. – 5:48 PM
Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Doc Rivers says Philadelphia is trying to be careful with both Joel Embiid and James Harden in managing them through the end of the regular season to have them as ready as possible for the playoffs. – 5:48 PM
Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
Coaches, players, analysts weigh in on Heat. What 76ers say they cannot allow Jimmy Butler to do to them again tonight. Haslem addresses Heat ownership issue. PLUS Highsmith, Harden, Haslem on what’s different with this group, more: miamiherald.com/sports/spt-col…5:47 PM
Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey working on his floaters and midrange game Monday: pic.twitter.com/JpXZJaNCU25:35 PM

Noah Levick @NoahLevick
Short snippet here of Charles Bassey and Paul Reed working pregame with skill development coach Jason Love: pic.twitter.com/8wjtkQZI315:22 PM

Markieff Morris @Keefmorris
Man I love hooping!! Thank you GOD! – 5:16 PM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
From earlier — Caleb Martin embodies a Heat mixed metaphor, running fly patterns, producing homerun plays. sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-h…5:13 PM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
From earlier — ASK IRA: Do the Heat need a big-minutes test run with Victor Oladipo? sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-h…5:13 PM
Jon Johnson @jonjohnsonwip
Sixers three hours prior to matchup vs Heat. #NoEmbiid #NoHarden pic.twitter.com/fLTuuKVCz65:09 PM
Noah Levick @NoahLevick
James Harden (left hamstring injury recovery) is out tonight, Sixers say. Joel Embiid (back soreness) is also out, ICYMI.
Harden said last night he planned to play, but he’ll sit out his second game as a Sixer. Had played 38.8 MPG since missing March 5 game against the Heat. – 5:01 PM
Wes Goldberg @wcgoldberg
waiting for @dramil13 to tweet that the Heat should rest Jimmy Butler in 3,2,1… – 4:55 PM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
James Harden joins Joel Embiid tonight in sitting out back half of 76ers’ back-to-back, so neither vs. visiting Heat at 7:30 p.m. tonight. – 4:54 PM
Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305
Boston jumping up to that 2-3 bracket and Philly falling into the 4-5 doesn’t feel like the worst thing in the world for Miami – 4:49 PM
Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Sixers say James Harden (hamstring injury management) will also miss tonight’s game vs. Miami. Joel Embiid has already been ruled out. Sixers are at the end of six games in nine days and leave tomorrow for a West trip to Lakers, Clippers and Suns. – 4:47 PM
Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
The Sixers say James Harden will now also sit out of tonight’s game due to “hamstring recovery.” He had not been listed on the injury report and said last night the plan was to play tonight. – 4:46 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
James Harden will miss tonight’s game vs. the Heat. – 4:46 PM
Derek Bodner @DerekBodnerNBA
James Harden (left hamstring injury recovery) will not play tonight against the Heat. – 4:46 PM
Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
James Harden (left hamstring tightness) will also be out for #Sixers tonight vs. #Heat4:46 PM
Justin Grasso @JGrasso_
James Harden is out tonight due to left hamstring recovery, per #Sixers official – 4:45 PM
Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Sixers say James Harden (left hamstring injury recovery) will now miss tonight’s game vs. Miami – 4:45 PM
Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305
Now both James Harden and Joel Embiid out tonight
Should be a Kyle Guy night – 4:44 PM
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
76ers‘ James Harden (injury recovery, left hamstring) and Joel Embiid will be out tonight vs. Miami on second end of back-to-back. – 4:43 PM
Derek Bodner @DerekBodnerNBA
The last 2 minute report for last night’s #sixers vs #raptors game lists the offensive foul / flagrant 1 on James Harden as the correct call. – 4:06 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Dissecting 76ers’ loss to Toronto Raptors, Joel Embiid’s exhaustion and … youtu.be/Xs8TKlc7mrs via @YouTube3:58 PM
Steve Bulpett @SteveBHoop
Jayson Tatum chosen NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week.
Interesting to note Jaylen Brown was among the nominees, with Kevin Durant, Darius Garland, Tyler Herro and Pascal Siakam.
Wonder how often two players from the same team get close in the same week. Says something. – 3:47 PM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
Tyler Herro was a nominee for the Eastern Conference Player of the Week award that just went to Jayson Tatum. – 3:41 PM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Tyler Herro a nominee for NBA East Player of the Week that went to the Celtics’ Jayson Tatum – 3:37 PM
Jordan Schultz @Schultz_Report
#Dolphins “motivated” to get a deal done w/LT Terron Armstead, per league source. Both FO+HC Mike McDaniel in agreement that Armstead is a bona fide star – type of player that will take offense to another level.
Not surprisingly, Miami has legit comp to sign the 3x Pro Bowler. – 3:36 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
The Heat have a top 5 defense this season despite being dead last in stocks (steals and blocks).
They are 1st in charges drawn with 101. No other team even has 60.
There’s so much more to defense than steals and blocks. pic.twitter.com/Ibxavc3aTD3:31 PM

Mike Prada @MikePradaNBA
I think the Raptors want Matisse Thybulle to shoot the ball, but they’re being really subtle about it so it’s hard to tell. pic.twitter.com/AAFppz1hgW3:28 PM

Mike Prada @MikePradaNBA
Someone tell DeAndre Jordan his quarterback yelled “HIKE” already. pic.twitter.com/GyiJH0Gjni3:20 PM
Miami Heat @MiamiHEAT
Max “Duncan ‘Ray Allen’ Robinson” Strus 👀
@CoupNBA explains why Strus currently might be the greatest luxury in the NBA – 3:14 PM
Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
With Embiid ruled out tonight, if we assume Harden sticks to his assertion from last night that he will play, the Sixers absolutely have to get a look at one of their young bigs at center with Harden on the floor. 48 minutes of the vets would be total malpractice – 3:06 PM
Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
Lots of notable things said today by nine new Miami Dolphins, as Terron Armstead tours the facility: miamiherald.com/sports/spt-col…3:00 PM
Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
Trent Sherfield — one of two 49ers receivers signed by Miami who now get to follow McDaniel/Welker to Dolphins – said Tua “is a winner… Definitely excited to play with him.” – 2:41 PM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
As Victor Oladipo misses his second straight game tonight because of back spasms, the Heat and Oladipo continue to stress patience following his return miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia… Also, Spoelstra has enjoyed watching @CanesHoops and Embiid out for 76ers vs. Heat – 2:41 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Joel Embiid will sit out the #Sixers’ Monday night tilt versus #MiamiHeat with back soreness inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-… via @phillyinquirer – 2:41 PM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
Joel Embiid formally listed as out for tonight’s game vs. Heat because of back soreness. But the 76ers are expected to have James Harden available tonight. – 2:32 PM
Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
Connor Williams said of McDaniel: “you can tell his excitement bringing this new zone scheme to Miami. That’s part of the reason I’m here, being a building block.” – 2:31 PM
Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
Chase Edmonds has made the point about McDaniel getting the most from players. “I liked Miami because I felt McDaniel could utilize me in ways to benefit me. I was told he’s a guru from players I trust and he’s a really good players coach as well. He’s a creative guy.” – 2:21 PM
Austin Krell @NBAKrell
In light of Embiid being out, there is no downside to starting either of Reed and Bassey in his place, especially against a team with an athletic big like Bam. – 2:17 PM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
ICYMI: When @Jason Jackson asked Bam Adebayo (@Bam Adebayo) who should be the Defensive Player of the Year, he left no doubt who he would choose
⬇️⬇️⬇️
#HEATCulture pic.twitter.com/RcGOP5oLs42:17 PM
Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305
Joel Embiid out tonight vs Miami
Some very exploitable PnR attacks from Miami’s guards tonight – 2:07 PM
Philadelphia 76ers @sixers
tale of the tape.
🔒 @BetwayUSA | #GetItLocked pic.twitter.com/Fn8m6w1oW92:02 PM

Ramona Shelburne @ramonashelburne
On second night of back-to-back, Sixers center Joel Embiid is being downgraded to out tonight vs the Heat ( back soreness), sources told ESPN. – 2:00 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Should #Sixers center Joel Embiid sit out tonight’s game against the Miami Heat? – 1:37 PM
Ethan J. Skolnick @EthanJSkolnick
Spoke to Tyler Herro after shootaround in Philly about the value of the No. 1 seed, his counters to the new coverages he’s seeing & the team scoring lead.
@5ReasonsSports
youtu.be/AzAfZ7N1hPM1:36 PM
Austin Krell @NBAKrell
Joel Embiid is questionable for tonight’s game against the Heat.
James Harden is not listed on the injury report. – 1:36 PM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
Joel Embiid listed as questionable for tonight’s game vs. Heat because of back soreness. But James Harden not on injury report.
76ers playing on second night of a back-to-back after losing to the Raptors yesterday. – 1:36 PM
Noah Levick @NoahLevick
Sixers again list Joel Embiid as questionable with back soreness for tonight’s game against the Heat. – 1:36 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Joel Embiid is questionable for tonight’s game against the Miami Heat with back soreness. – 1:35 PM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
76ers again listing Joel Embiid as questionable on their injury report due to back soreness. Harden not on injury report on second night of back-to-back. Both played in Sunday’s home loss to Raptors. Heat-76ers at 7:30 p.m. in Philly. – 1:32 PM
Justin Grasso @JGrasso_
Joel Embiid is questionable for tonight once again with back soreness #Sixers1:30 PM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
It’s the 2nd night of a back-to-back against the Heat and that normally would mean rest for stars, but for James Harden, he plans to play in this one #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2022/03/21/six… via @SixersWire1:29 PM
Philadelphia 76ers @sixers
🚨GIVEAWAY🚨
Fans attending tonight’s @PECOconnect ‘Go Green’ Night receive a Sixers x PECO tote bag. pic.twitter.com/qLfK2Hbver1:20 PM

Mike McGraw @McGrawDHSports
BTW, #Bulls have fourth-best home record in NBA at 25-10, behind Suns, Heat & Warriors – 1:20 PM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
NEW: As Victor Oladipo misses his second straight game tonight because of back spasms, the Heat and Oladipo continue to stress patience following his return miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia… Oladipo: “It’s probably the most important thing that I have to focus on is being patient mentally” – 1:15 PM
Mike McGraw @McGrawDHSports
Toronto won in Philadelphia last night. So Raptors are playing a back-to-back tonight at UC, but if they beat #Bulls, they’ll be just 1/2 game back in standings. Which would mean Bulls a half-game from falling into 7th place and spot in play-in tournament (pending Cavs result) – 1:14 PM
Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
Larrañaga’s scramble scheme leads Miami into Sweet 16
apnews.com/article/march-…1:08 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Joel Embiid and James Harden are +89 in 295 minutes together.
— 122.5 offensive rating
— 105.7 defensive rating
— 16.9 net rating
— 63.2 TS%
All 4 stats would rank 1st in the NBA. pic.twitter.com/ploD0dUFND1:05 PM