Observations and different notes of curiosity from Thursday evening’s 129-101 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers:
– Yes, the victory retains the Heat alive for No. 6 within the East.
– And direct entry into the best-of-seven first spherical of the playoffs.
– And the victory most likely doesn’t matter.
– Because no matter some other outcomes going ahead from the Heat or the Nets, if the 76ers lose Sunday in Brooklyn, then the Nets are Philadelphia’s first-round opponent.
– And the Heat are within the play-in, the place one or two losses and the season is over.
– In different phrases, anticipate to see Dewayne Dedmon beginning at level guard for Philadelphia in Brooklyn at Barclays Center on Sunday afternoon, if that’s what is required for the 76ers to keep away from the Heat.
– Yes, stranger has occurred.
– And, sure, a Nets win earlier than Sunday (on Friday at dwelling over Orlando) or a Heat loss of their ultimate two (at Washington, dwelling in opposition to the Magic), would make Sunday’s 76ers-Nets moot.
– But we’re at a time of season when manipulation is rampant.
– And the 76ers nonetheless are in charge of who will get No. 6.
– No matter how a lot Adam Silver won’t prefer it.
– The Heat for the second consecutive recreation opened with a lineup of Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler, Max Strus, Tyler Herro and Gabe Vincent.
– Because the Heat had 16 out there and solely allowed to have 15 in uniform, two-way heart Orlando Robinson was a wholesome scratch.
– Also inactive for the Heat was rookie huge man Nikola Jovic, who stays out with again spasms.
– Despite being locked into No. 3 within the East, the 76ers rolled out their regulars, with Joel Embiid, P.J. Tucker, Tobias Harris, De’Anthony Melton and James Harden beginning.
– The 76ers, nevertheless, have been with out Heat killer Tyrese Maxey, who was out resulting from neck spasms.
– With Vincent in early foul bother, the Heat’s first two substitutes have been Kyle Lowry and Caleb Martin collectively halfway via the opening interval.
– It was the 2 hundredth profession regular-season look for Martin.
– With his look, Lowry moved previous LaMarcus Aldridge for ninety fifth on the NBA all-time record and tied Jeff Hornacek and Lenny Wilkens for 93rd.
– Kevin Love then adopted.
– And then a Haywood Highsmith sighting.
– And a Duncan Robinson sighting, with these two taking part in forward of Victor Oladipo and Cody Zeller, amongst others.
– By scoring in double digits, Adebayo moved previous Udonis Haslem into ninth place for such Heat all-time scoring efforts.
– Strus’ second 3-point try moved him previous Josh Richardson for eleventh on the Heat all-time record.
– Herro’s second rebound moved him previous Joel Anthony for twenty fourth on the Heat all-time record.
– Herro’s fourth 3-pointer was the 600th of his profession.
– Adebayo stated there are advantages of such late-season video games with that means.
– “It just puts us in a position to be playoff ready,” he stated. “We’ve been in how many clutch games this year? [54] So more than enough to be ready to be in those playoff moments when games are decided by one, two points.”
– Strus agreed.
– “Every game matters still,” he stated. “We got to play until the end of the season with the position we’re in. Can’t take any games lightly.”
– That, in fact, may change as quickly because the Heat being locked right into a seed on Friday, forward of Sunday’s regular-season finale in opposition to the visiting Magic.
– Strus laughed about video games when Butler has been taking part in possum throughout early phases.
– “That’s Jimmy,” he stated. “He wants to get other guys involved. He wants to make everybody feel included and get other guys going because he knows at the end of the day, it’s going to help him, too.”
– Strus added, “If other guys are making shots, it opens up the floor for him. So he’s one of the smartest IQ basketball players I’ve ever played with and he knows how to work the game.”
– Philadelphia coach Doc Rivers virtually brushed apart a pregame query concerning Embiid and the MVP race.
– “It’s over,” he stated with a understanding smile. “That one is over.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com