Ambide's disadvantage was felt: Miami went up to 0: 1 over Philadelphia with a relaxed 92: 106

Without the injured chin, the Heat narrowed Harden's steps (just 16 points) and cruised after a one-sided second half.

Hiro and his father excelled

Walla!

sport

03/05/2022

Tuesday, 03 May 2022, 06:10

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Drymond Green responds to his dismissal in Game 1 against Memphis (from Twitter)

Even without Kyle Laurie and Duncan Robinson, Miami is better, more mature and deeper than Philadelphia when it's without Joel Ambide.

Tonight (Monday through Tuesday) the Heat took full advantage of the lack of the king of baskets of the regular season, who did not take off for Miami at all following the injury and concussion he suffered against Toronto, and climbed to a 0-1 lead in the Eastern Semifinals with a comfortable 92: 106 home win.

In the absence of Ambide, Eric Spolstra's team focused defensive attention on James Harden.

Just as they managed to make Trey Young unhappy in the first round, this time too the Heat pinned Harden PJ Tucker who pressed him and hit him, and most of the time the game plan worked well.

More on Walla!

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To the full article

Miami's goal achieved.

Harden frustrated (Photo: GettyImages, Michael Reaves)

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Doc Rivers came up in the top five with a slightly odd improvisation when he put Diandra Jordan (who has not played in the playoffs since 2017) in place of Ambide, and Miami took advantage of the Sixers ’slackness to climb to a 12-point lead as early as the first quarter.

Philly's run led by Tobias Harris led a surprising turnaround and at the break the visitors went down by a point, but for the second half Miami came up determined and focused, and there the game was more or less decided.

Tyler Hiro rose excellently off the bench as he does throughout the season, if Edbaio took advantage of Ambide’s lack of control of color, and the Heat opened up a big advantage, which peaked at 21, with the Sixers only reducing damage in the final minutes.

Hiro was Miami’s outstanding scorer with 25 points alongside 7 assists, while Edbaio was dominant with 24, 12 rebounds and 4 assists and Jimmy Butler added 15 and 9 rebounds.

For Philly, the bright spot was the ability of Tobias Harris who sniped 27 points.

Tyrese Maxi added 19, and the only other double-scorer was Harden, who settled for 15 with just 5 of 13 from the field (as well as 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 turnovers).

Kelly Easy Butler, Vincent & Adbaio (Photo: GettyImages, Michael Reaves)

Philly will try to surprise in Game 2 which will also be held in Florida on the night between Wednesday and Thursday, and mostly wait for Ambide's return, hoping it will happen in Game 3.

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• Miami Heat

• Philadelphia Sixers