Our Clients:

Field Level Media - Professional sports content solutions | FLM

May 3, 2022 2:27 pm

Without Joel Embiid, 76ers look for rebounds in Game 2 vs. Heat

The Philadelphia 76ers will look for a stronger performance on the glass without Joel Embiid on Wednesday when they visit the Miami Heat in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series.

Philadelphia was outrebounded by a 47-37 margin — including 15-9 on the offensive glass — in its 106-92 setback in the series opener Monday. The 76ers also shot themselves in the foot by making just 17.6 percent of their attempts from 3-point range (6 of 34).

“Very similar to the (first-round series against) Toronto, in that we told our guys they can’t have more rebounds than us, they can’t force turnovers because they can’t have more shots than us,” Philadelphia coach Doc Rivers said.

“We’re working with a small margin for error, so we can’t give a team 13 extra shots on the road without Joel and think we’re going to win a game.”

Embiid had been ruled out for Wednesday’s contest prior to the series opener due to an orbital fracture and concussion sustained in Game 6 in the opening round against the Toronto Raptors. The five-time All-Star also is nursing a torn ligament in his right thumb.

“Two things that we’ve been preaching, even from last series,” teammate James Harden said. “… Things that we can control are rebounding the basketball and not turning the basketball over. (Those are) things that we can control, and once we do that next game, we’ll have a better chance of winning.”

Harden is being looked upon to provide more offensive punch in the absence of Embiid, the NBA’s regular-season leading scorer. Harden had 16 points, a team high-tying nine rebounds and five assists, however the former league MVP also made just 5 of 13 shots and committed five turnovers.

All-Star Bam Adebayo made his presence felt on the interior for the Heat in the absence of Embiid. Adebayo sank 8 of 10 shot attempts in the opener to finish with 24 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block.

“Both ends of the court. His relentlessness, that effort,” Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said of Adebayo, who averaged just 12.4 points in the first-round series against the Atlanta Hawks.

DeAndre Jordan finished minus-22 in just 17 minutes after being inserted into the starting lineup in place of Embiid. Paul Reed came off the bench and showed flashes before being hampered by foul trouble.

Miami’s Tyler Herro worked the exterior to the tune of sinking 4 of 6 shots from 3-point range to highlight his 25-point performance. Herro, in fact, outscored Philadelphia’s bench, which finished with 21 points and made just 1 of 12 attempts from 3-point range.

“Just kick in on it,” Herro said. “We won the first series as we should have. Now we keep moving on and taking care of business.”

Jimmy Butler collected 15 points and nine rebounds in his return from a one-game absence due to a knee injury.

Miami once again will be without Kyle Lowry due to a strained hamstring. The six-time All-Star has not played since Game 3 of the first-round series against the Atlanta Hawks on April 22.

–Field Level Media

You may also like

Caitlin Clark
Jun 14, 2025 5:35 pm

Caitlin Clark dominates in return, Fever topple Liberty

Caitlin Clark totaled 32 points, nine assists and eight rebounds in a spectacular return from a left quad injury on Saturday leading the Indiana Fever to a 102-88 victory over…

steven adams
Jun 14, 2025 4:28 pm

Reports: Rockets, C Steven Adams agree to three-year extension

The Houston Rockets agreed to a three-year, $39 million contract extension with center Steven Adams, per multiple reports. The deal is fully guaranteed. The veteran big man spent the first…

Lynx, Sparks
Jun 14, 2025 3:35 pm

Napheesa Collier takes charge as Lynx rout Sparks 101-78

Napheesa Collier scored 32 points on 13-for-16 shooting, and the Minnesota Lynx pulled away for a 101-78 victory Saturday afternoon in Minneapolis. Collier also grabbed eight rebounds and dished six…

More Basketball News

Caitlin Clark
Jun 14, 2025 5:35 pm

Caitlin Clark dominates in return, Fever topple Liberty

Caitlin Clark totaled 32 points, nine assists and eight rebounds in a spectacular return from a left quad injury on Saturday leading the Indiana Fever to a 102-88 victory over…

steven adams
Jun 14, 2025 4:28 pm

Reports: Rockets, C Steven Adams agree to three-year extension

Lynx, Sparks
Jun 14, 2025 3:35 pm

Napheesa Collier takes charge as Lynx rout Sparks 101-78

a'ja wilson
Jun 14, 2025 3:04 pm

Status of stars still in question as Aces face Mercury

dream mystics
Jun 14, 2025 2:00 pm

Dream look to avenge season-opening loss to Mystics

Read all
fb-post
advertisment
title-icon

Upcoming events

See all odds
[gs-fb-comments]