The Sixers are up against a team that actually wants to make the playoffs in this one, as they welcome the Heat to Philadelphia.
The end is so close. The Sixers have just nine games remaining of this brutal season, following their latest loss on Wednesday to the Wizards — the team with the second-worst record in the league.
Next up for Saturday’s game, the Sixers are welcoming the Heat to Philadelphia.
The Sixers’ rotation remains pretty minimal, just as you’d expect. Apart from the big absences of Joel Embiid, Paul George, Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain, Andre Drummond (left toe sprain), Eric Gordon (right wrist surgery), Kyle Lowry (right hip injury management) and Kelly Oubre Jr. (right knee sprain) are all out, while Lonnie Walker IV (neck sprain) is probable and Jalen Hood-Schifino (illness) is questionable.
The Heat have a rather long injury list themselves. Andrew Wiggins (right hamstring tendinopathy), Dru Smith (left Achilles surgery), Duncan Robinson (left sacroiliac joint dysfunction), Kevin Love (personal reasons) and Nikola Jovic (broken right hand) are out, with Alec Burks (lower back discomfort) questionable.
The now Jimmy Butler-less Heat may only be hanging around in the play-in picture with their 32-41 record as the 10 seed, but they still actually have the availability of some of their top players as they try to make the postseason. And after a 10-game losing streak, they’ve now won their last three straight. Against Philly, the Heat should be in a decent spot to win this one. Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro have both been having good seasons. Herro has even made his first All-Star team this year, averaging a career-high 23.6 points per game on the best true shooting percentage (59.9) of his career. Meanwhile, the team’s defense has been its backbone this year.
Despite having the 23rd-ranked offense, the Heat still rank 12th in defensive rating, and should be able to out talent and slow down the Sixers’ unbelievably shorthanded offense enough in this one to help with securing the best possible lottery odds for these Sixers.
And those odds are looking ok heading into Saturday’s game. The Sixers are a few losses ahead of the Raptors for the sixth spot, although the Pelicans are likely uncatchable at four. Moving past the Nets, on the other hand, may be doable.
Let’s see if tonight’s game can help them in that direction, and if Quentin Grimes, Justin Edwards, and Adem Bona can keep showing up in the process. The Bona and Guerschon Yabusele vs. Bam Adebayo matchups could also be quite fun.
Game Details
When: Saturday, March 29, 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: The Center, Philadelphia, PA
Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Follow: @LibertyBallers