Entering this second-round series with the Miami Heat, the Sixers’ mandate was clear: try to steal one game in Miami, then hope Joel Embiid was cleared to return when the series shifted back to Philadelphia and that the Phantom of the Process could carry them across the finish line. After surging back in front at halftime of Game 1, the Sixers fell apart in the second half of their 106-92 defeat, and are now left with one more chance to pull off the upset before heading home.
In the good news category, Kyle Lowry is once again out for Game 2.