In Game 1 of their second-round series, the Heat destroyed the 76ers, 106–92. Here are three takeaways from the contest.
There’s a Joel Embiid-Sized Hole in Philly’s Rotation
The big question coming into Game 1 was if Philadelphia survive on both ends without their high-usage, foul-drawing, space-eating, rim-protecting MVP candidate. Doc Rivers gave the starting nod to a creaky DeAndre Jordan, who was immediately and relentlessly attacked by various Heat pick-and-roll combinations.
Jordan had his moments catching a couple lobs and blocking a couple shots that were hoisted within an arm’s length, but the Sixers were forced to defend in a (fairly effective) zone for most of the evening without Embiid around to man the middle.