Player grades: Joel Embiid-less Sixers come up short in Christmas Day loss to Heat

MIAMI – The Philadelphia 76ers paid a visit to the Miami Heat on Christmas Day down some key pieces. They had to battle the defending Eastern Conference champions while missing MVP big man Joel Embiid and key wing player Nic Batum. With that being …

MIAMI — The Philadelphia 76ers paid a visit to the Miami Heat on Christmas Day down some key pieces. They had to battle the defending Eastern Conference champions while missing MVP big man Joel Embiid and key wing player Nic Batum.

With that being said, the Heat entered the night missing star Jimmy Butler as well as Haywood Highsmith and Josh Richardson. The teams were evenly matched in that respect. The Sixers just had a tough night as they fell to the Heat 119-111. Philadelphia’s starting backcourt of Tyrese Maxey and De’Anthony Melton combined to shoot 9-for-37 on the night.

Tobias Harris led the Sixers with 27 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, Kelly Oubre Jr. had 25 points and seven rebounds, and Mo Bamba hopped off the bench to pour in 18 points and six rebounds. Melton did have 15 points, seven rebounds, and five assists while Maxey had 12 points and five assists.

Here are the player grades following the loss: