Date: Thursday, April 19
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Location: American Airlines Arena -- Miami, Florida
The Miami Heat were run off the floor in the second half of Game 1 of their first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers, as the Sixers took Game 1 by 27 points. And after the first few minutes on Monday night, it looked like Game 2 would be more of the same. But Erik Spoelstra's squad regrouped, and used a huge second quarter to take control of the game. Dwyane Wade turned back the clock, pouring in 28 points, and coming up with multiple big plays down the stretch to put an end to the Sixers' comeback attempt.
When the final buzzer sounded, the Heat had a 113-103 victory. Now tied 1-1, the series shifts back to Miami for Game 3 on Thursday night. The big question, of course, is what will Joel Embiid's status be? The big man has cleared the concussion protocol, but it's still unclear if he'll be able to suit up by Thursday night. Obviously, adding him to the lineup would be a huge boost for the Sixers. Regardless of whether he plays or not, it will be interesting to see how the Sixers respond after facing adversity for the first time in over a month.
If the 76ers can carry their momentum from the regular season into the playoffs, then they're going to be a dangerous team in the playoffs. They finished the regular season on a 16 game win streak. Embiid, if healthy, and Simmons are one of the NBA's most dynamic duos. They have the third-best defense and fourth-best net rating in the NBA. They're an easy favorite.
The Heat haven't always been consistent, but their depth gives them a lot of versatility. Miami can gain an advantage if they control the pace, forcing Philadelphia to play slow, and use their bench as an advantage. A lot of teams shorten up their rotation in the playoffs. The Heat don't have to do that. They can adjust to whatever Philadelphia is running and counter that.
Dwyane Wade snuffed out one 76ers' rally by popping a 16-foot fadeaway with the shot clock ticking down. Wade made a halfhearted attempt at reaching his hand out toward a fallen defender before he scooted on his way.
The Heat had to have this one -- a brooding Joel Embiid is angling for a comeback.
Wade turned in a vintage performance, scoring 28 points to end the 76ers' 17-game winning streak and lead the Miami Heat to a 113-103 Game 2 win over Philadelphia on Monday night and even the first-round playoff series.
"It's just in my DNA," Wade said. "I love the stage."
The 36-year-old flashed the form of a three-time NBA champion with the Heat, not the journeyman who bounced around the last two seasons with forgettable stints in Chicago and Cleveland.
Wade made 11 of 17 shots and put on a show in the second quarter and put it away in the fourth.
"I saw moments," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "That's what defines Dwyane Wade."
The 76ers could soon get their defining Process moment from Embiid.
