CAMDEN, N.J. — The Philadelphia 76ers are preparing to head to South Florida to take on the defending Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat on Christmas Day. The Heat will enter the contest 17-12, and they will offer a test for the Sixers here in the early portion of the season.
Led by Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, the Heat are a scrappy bunch who are always ready for any type of battle. As the Sixers prepare to invade the Kaseya Center on Christmas, they know the type of challenge that awaits.
It doesn’t matter to them that Miami reached the finals in 2023. They’re focused on right now and getting ready to fight.
“I would think more so just because they’re the Heat,” De’Anthony Melton said. “They play hard. They play scrappy and they’re real disciplined. So I think those type things is what we need, just in terms of our outcome of the game, but I mean, it’s a new year. Honestly, they made the finals but I think them being who they are as a team is what makes them so challenging.”
This could be a statement game for the Sixers considering who the Heat are and what they bring to the table every night. However, both Philadelphia and Miami are still working things out.
“It’s still early on in the season,” added Robert Covington. “Like we’re still finding ourselves, there’s still so many pieces. Of course, they have the experience and it definitely is a test, but I mean, like I said it’s still new components. It’s not the same team as last year. There’s different components on both sides.”
Considering the experience the Heat have and who they are, this will offer an idea of what’s to come when the playoffs come around in April and May. The Sixers have to be prepared for the challenges.
“So it’s just basically getting a feel for what’s gonna happen as the season goes on that line,” Covington added. “It’s gonna be a good test. We know what Miami Heat culture is like so it’s gonna be a great game.”
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