Miami Heat barely overcome Philadelphia 76ers at home

The Miami Heat extended their winning streak to five games, with a victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.

On the same day the NBA’s best team, the Golden State Warriors, got blown out on the road against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Miami Heat had difficulties with the worst team in basketball.

Finishing off a home-and-home matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers, the Heat struggled on Friday night to put away the young and pesky team. The same was the issue on Sunday night, as the Sixers kept matching the Heat tit-for-tat into the fourth quarter.

In the fourth, the Heat started finding their groove in the final five minutes to start putting the game away. It was yet another game where the Heat scored over 100 in since the All-Star break, with it seeming like the offense is hitting on all cylinders for the first time this season in a handful games in a row.

The five game winning streak is the longest for the team since the LeBron James era. That last run ran 8 games, lasting from February 11th to March 3rd.

The Miami Heat shot 40 percent from the field, however shot 57 percent from three-point range. They were also 23-30 from the free throw line. The Sixers shot 44 percent from the field, however their 36 percent shooting on 31 threes may have held them back from overcoming the Heat. The Sixers got to the line 22 times and made 13 of them.

Three Stars

Dwyane Wade: In the final two minutes, Wade dished out an assist, made a major dunk, and made crucial free throws to help the Heat put the Sixers away. Though his 5-of-15 shooting was not ideal, Wade made 13 of his 14 free throws, en route 19 points and a +22 point differential with him on the court.

Goran Dragic: Playing a team high 37 minutes, Goran Dragic had a big night for the Heat. With a team starving for 3-point shooting, Dragic’s 3-of-4 shooting from three was a much needed sight for Heat fans. Shooting 9-of-14 from the field, Dragic collected 23 points, dished out 5 assists, and grabbed rebounds. Dragic, unlike Wade however, was just a -3 on the court for the night.

Hassan Whiteside: Like Wade, Whiteside did not shoot well from the field. In fact, his 6-10 shooting from the free throw night was even off of what he has done lately from the line. Whiteside still scored 14 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and collected 7 blocks in another strong showing from him.

Highlights:

Up Next:

The Heat will travel to Milwaukee to take on the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night, seeking their 6th consecutive win. The Heat’s 8-2 mark since the All-Star break trails only the Spurs and Warriors, although the Heat’s soft schedule has aided them in this mark.