YONG KIM / Staff Photographer at the Inquirer
MIAMI, FL- Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro combined for 49 points as they would lead the Miami Heat to a 106-92 win and a 1-0 Eastern Conference Semifinals lead against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Miami opened the game with an early 18-6 lead. The Heat looked like they were about to pull away early, however, the 76ers responded with a 9-0 run.
Philadelphia came back only down 25-22 with 2:34 left in the first quarter. A layup cut Philadelphia’s run from Tyler Herro.
Herro was then fouled by Matisse Thybulle while attempting a 3-pointer. He made both of his free-throws, and the Heat would enter the second quarter with a 30-22 lead.
Herro opened up the second quarter with a 3-pointer and a layup. Adebayo followed with a layup to give Miami a 37-24 lead.
In the final six minutes of the second quarter, Philadelphia responded with a 19-7 run and entered halftime with a 51-50 lead.
Tobias Harris led the 76ers in first-half points with 14 points. Adebayo and Herro led Miami in the first-half with 12 points.
After halftime, both Philadelphia and Miami traded buckets and the lead.
Adebayo then made a dunk and a nine-foot pull-up jumper to give the Heat a 64-61 lead. That prompted 76ers coach Doc Rivers to take a timeout with 7:20 left in the third quarter.
A layup from P.J Tucker, two free-throws from Adebayo, and a jump shot from Gabe Vincent increased the Heat’s lead to nine points.
Miami entered the fourth quarter with an 80-72 lead.
Miami took off with a 93-77 with 7:46 left in the fourth quarter. The Heat maintained a double-digit lead throughout the rest of the game.
Rebounding without Embiid
The 76ers without their all-star center, Joel Embiid, struggled to get the ball off of the glass against the Heat.
Philadelphia gave up 15 offensive rebounds and 47 total rebounds to Miami. Adebayo was Miami’s leading rebounder with 12 rebounds. He also scored 24 points.
Herro led the Heat off the bench with 25 points.
There was a possession in the third quarter where Miami had three-straight offensive rebounds, which led to two free-throws for Adebayo.
If Embiid played, it could’ve mitigated those extra possessions from Miami.
James Harden and Paul Reed led the 76ers with nine rebounds, and Philadelphia finished the game with 37 rebounds.
“We won the first series as we should’ve, and we are just going to continue to take care of business and keep it moving,” Herro said. “It’s always all-hands-on-deck with us. Just the next man up mentality no matter what. Without Kyle tonight, we just got to find new ways to keep the offense going.
“Guys stepped up defensively and we just kept playing well and kept things going. We just take care of business, as simple as that,” he said.
Up Next
The Miami Heat will host the Philadelphia 76ers on May 4, 7:30 p.m.m est.
