In just five games, the Miami Heat reigned supreme after eliminating the Atlanta Hawks. Stifling both their first-round opponent and most especially Trae Young, Miami has created an early and loud statement to open the 2022 NBA Playoffs.
And if that demonstration wasn’t enough to prove themselves as legitimate title contenders, the Heat will have another opportunity to do so as they host their second-round opponent, the Philadelphia 76ers, on Monday.
The Eastern Conference’s number one seed will match up against a Sixers team who’ll be without Joel Embiid (orbital fracture) for Game One and quite possibly, for an indefinite amount of time.
Sources: 76ers All-NBA star Joel Embiid suffered a right orbital fracture and mild concussion in series-clinching Game 6 win last night in Toronto. He will be listed as out and there is no timetable for his return.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 30, 2022
But even without Embiid, Philadelphia’s premier big man and a top candidate for this year’s Most Valuable Player award, the Heat shouldn’t underestimate another All-NBA talent who is still available.
Meaning, it could all center back on the on-court presence of James Harden. Can he lead them to victory for as long as he is without his star teammate?
Who knows, but let’s look at his play a bit closer.