MIAMI — Justin Anderson downplayed his role. But the reserve swingman’s physicality fueled the Sixers on Thursday night in their 128-108 victory over the Heat in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinal series.
Anderson had watched from the bench as the Heat pushed around his teammates in Game 2. He wasn’t about to let that happen when he entered Game 3 at the start of the second quarter.
His aggressive play appeared to frustrate Dwyane Wade 1 minute, 34 seconds into the quarter as he two got tangled up. Wade, one of the NBA’s all-time greats, yanked Anderson’s arm, slinging him to the ground out of bounds.