Injury Report
| Player |
Team |
Date |
Status |
Info |
| Kyle Lowry |
Miami Heat |
10 May 2022 |
Out (Hamstring) |
Lowry was OUT for Miami’s Tuesday (May 10) game. |
How Can the Heat Beat the Sixers?
The Miami Heat were excellent in their Game 5 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. After suffering a blowout on Philadelphia’s home court, Miami served the Sixers a blowout of their own in Game 5. Even without Lowry on the court, their ball movement and efficiency was excellent.
In the Heat’s Game 5 win over the Sixers, Miami shot 53.6% from the field and 39.4% from three-point range. After choosing to expand their rotation to include reliable sharpshooter Duncan Robinson, the Heat offence has opened up with little consequence to their defence.
If the Heat can continue to defend the inside-out attack of the Sixers as well as they did in Game 5, they should find a simple victory. Their ball pressure is crucial to forcing turnovers, which the Sixers have struggled with all series long.
Heat Key Player: (F) Jimmy Butler
Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler has arguably been the best player of this 2022 NBA Playoffs. He can contribute in every category, on both ends of the court. Another all-around performance from him, and the Heat could earn their way to the Conference Finals.
In Game 5 against the Philadelphia 76ers, Butler posted 23 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal in 34 minutes of play. He was an efficient 9 of 15 from the field, and even converted on 2 of his 4 three-point attempts.
Butler’s role as a playmaker with Kyle Lowry unavailable has been crucial to the Heat’s success. Beyond his scoring, how Butler keeps his teammates involved in the offence will determine Miami’s chances at victory.
How Can the Sixers Beat the Heat?
The Philadelphia 76ers have no room for error in Game 6 against the Heat. On the brink of elimination, the Sixers need to recapture their three-point form and do better taking care of the ball.
Through their 5 games against the Heat this season, Philadelphia have committed an average of 14.2 turnovers while shooting just 34% from three-point range. While they are only making about 11 three-pointers per game, which is right around their season average, the Sixers are down from their 13.6 threes in their first round series.
Without their shooters in form, the Sixers’ ability to go to Embiid in the paint becomes much more difficult. All eyes will be on main playmakers James Harden and Tyrese Maxey to not only open up the Heat defence, but to also convert from three-point range with efficiency.
Sixers Key Player: (G) James Harden
After an explosive Game 4 to level the series, James Harden fell back to his struggling form in Game 5. The Heat were able to contain him, and Harden was unable to adjust to help his team find a win. To stave off elimination, Harden needs to put on an All-Star performance.
In the Sixers’ Game 5 loss to the Miami Heat, Harden posted 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists in 37 minutes of play. Harden struggled with the increased defensive pressure, shooting just 5 of 13 from the field and 2 of 6 from three-point range.
The Sixers need Harden to take control of the offence if they hope to take down the Miami Heat. If he can’t be efficient and create opportunities for others, the Sixers’ offence will struggle to overcome the Heat.
/filters:no_upscale()/fit-in/1200x585/1665741095/heat-vs-sixers-game-6-2022-05-12.jpg.jpeg "heat-vs-sixers-game-6-2022-05-12")
/fit-in/222x222/frame-1-1.png)
/frame-1-1.png )
/1666344578/christian-jope.png "Christian jope")
/dmca.png "Dmca"){kind=small}
/1670944202/21.png "21"){kind=small}
/1670944628/2022-igb-best-casino-affiliate-gig-media-e1651053747946.png "2022 igb best casino affiliate gig media e1651053747946"){kind=small}
/1670944701/gig-media-power-affiliates-rank-123x40-1.png "Gig media power affiliates rank 123x40 1"){kind=icon}
/1670944773/800-gambler-black-144x40.jpg "800 gambler black 144x40"){kind=small}
/1718715753/gpwa.webp "Gpwa"){kind=small}
