The Miami Heat struggled in a Monday night 124-114 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, but Goran Dragic found his footing again.
Welcome to another edition of Miami Heat Game Day Observations; today, we’ll be taking a look at the team’s loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Although the Heat were unable to lock down the victory, it was a good night for Goran Dragic. Having recently dealt with a foot injury, the point guard made his return a game prior, but finished with an abysmal 0 point (on 0-for-7 shooting from the field) performance.
Fortunately, Monday night was different.
First Quarter
Dragic starts the night hot, by setting up Hassan Whiteside perfectly; he goes to the basket and finds the center under the basket, throwing him a pass behind Joel Embiid, which results in a jam.
Now that’s how you get the big man going.
He is actively trying to find his own shots too, as Dragic commits a steal after a bad pass was thrown near half court (and Embiid tried to save it with a behind-the-back swing), ultimately giving himself an open layup.
Then he goes fast at the basket and connects with Justise Winslow for a 3.
Kaboom.
And while Markelle Fultz may have the league talking for his crafty play (okay, and horrible free throw shooting form), Dragic shows him who’s boss by crossing him over and making a floating jumper.
Boom baby.
At 6:11, he is replaced by Tyler Johnson and sits the rest of the opening period.
Dragic finishes the first quarter with four points on 2-for-4 shooting, and two assists.
Easy does it.
Second Quarter
At 7:21, he checks in, and immediately goes to work.
Teammate Josh Richardson picks the pocket of Embiid and a fast break ensues. Rodney McGruder dishes the rock to Dragic for a layup.
That’s the spirit.
Next up: a jumper over Ben Simmons near the free throw line.
Splash.
McGruder connects with his point guard again, this time for a made-3.
It’s safe to say he’s heating up (pun very much intended).
Dragic goes into the half with 12 points on 5-for-8 shooting, one rebound and two assists.
Third Quarter
After some rest at the half, a fresh-faced Dragic returns and does what he does best: draws contact. He splits a pair of free throws, and gets back to business.
He completes a pretty drive to the hoop, for an even more beautiful lob to Bam Adebayo. He’s firing on all cylinders tonight.
Richardson wants a 3, and Dragic gives it to him, recording another assist on the night.
The contact continues, and this time he makes both free throws. Slowly but surely, Dragic is making his comeback.
He connects with Adebayo for another alley oop, and the big fella goes to town with a slam dunk.
Three periods in and now Dragic has 18 points (including going 5-of-7 from the charity stripe), two rebounds and five assists.
Fourth Quarter
Dragic finally checks in at 5:04, and soon after grabs a board after a rare miss by JJ Redick.
Unfortunately, the game is once again starting to unravel for Miami. So much so that Philadelphia allows Dragic to blow by for an easy layup, without so much as batting an eyelash.
Even a steal from Simmons that ends in a made basket doesn’t phase the 76ers, who are clearly now running away with this one.
Another one bites the dust for the Heat, but there is a silver lining: Dragic is shaking off his prior foot injury.
He finishes the game with 22 points on 8-for-15 shooting, three rebounds and five assists.
The Miami Heat take on the Brooklyn Nets tonight at 7:30 PM ET.