MIAMI, FL- The Miami Heat takes control as they take a 2-0 Eastern Conference Semifinals lead after a 119-103 win against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Philadelphia opened the game with an early 11-6 lead. However, the Heat scored five quick points to tie the game.
Both teams had an answer for each other’s offensive attack. Whenever the 76ers scored, Miami would tie back the game and vice versa.
However, a 3-pointer from Tyler Herro, followed by a dunk from Dewayne Dedmon, gave Miami a five-point lead.
Herro then scored a layup with one second left in the first quarter and Miami entered the second quarter with a 31-24 lead.
Bam Adebayo made a layup and was fouled. He made a free-throw to give the Heat a 46-36 lead with 7:17 left in the second quarter.
Tyrese Maxey responded with a layup, however, Jimmy Butler made a dunk and Victor Oladipo made a 3-pointer to give Miami a 13-point lead.
Philadelphia, later in the second quarter, went on a 9-0 run to cut their deficit to five points.
Herro then made a shot from deep and two free throws to push the Heats lead back up to 10 points.
Miami entered halftime with a 60-52 lead. The sixth man of the year scored 16 points and James Harden also scored 16 points in the first half.
The Heat jumped to an early 13-point lead with a P.J Tucker three-point jumper and a dunk from Butler.
Maxey found a groove with 13 points in the third quarter but Miami entered the fourth quarter with a 91-80 lead.
Miami went on an 11-2 run to take a 104-86 lead over Philadelphia with 5:41 left in the fourth quarter.
Philadelphia tried to make a comeback but the game was out of reach for the 76ers.
The Heat’s Bench
Miami once again dominated the 76ers to take a 2-0 lead. The main reason was their bench unit.
The Heat’s bench outscored Philadelphia’s bench, 52-19. Herro was the main catalyst for the bench unit’s offensive load with 18 points.
Oladipo also contributed with 19 points off of the bench.
The starters, particularly Butler and Adebayo, were consistent throughout the entire game.
Adebayo led the Heat in scoring with 23 points and nine rebounds. Butler had a double-double with 22 points and 12 rebounds.
Philadelphia Offensive Drought
The 76ers need a more dynamic offense in order to win at least one of their home games.
Maxey was the 76ers leading scorer with 34 points and Harden followed with 20 points and nine assists.
After that, Tobias Harris was Philadelphia’s last scorer in double digits with 21 points.
The 76ers bench has to deliver whenever Harden, Maxey, or Harris is out of the game. It takes more than three players to win a game and most definitely, a series.
Joel Embiid can make a return to give Philadelphia an extra boost on the offensive end, as well as grabbing rebounds for the 76ers.
However, Philadelphia must prepare for another game with the possibility of Embiid being ruled out for game 3.
Up Next
The Philadelphia 76ers will host the Miami Heat on May 6, 7pm est.
