With Joel Embiid back in the lineup, the Philadelphia 76ers look like a completely different team. Can he help them tie the series with the Miami Heat at 2-2? Catch this game live on May 4, at 8:00 AM, Manila time.

Away: Miami Heat (2-1, 0-1 Away)

Projected Starting Five:

  • PG: Kyle Lowry
  • SG: Max Strus
  • SF: Jimmy Butler
  • PF: PJ Tucker
  • C: Bam Adebayo

Jimmy Butler did everything he could to keep the Miami Heat in Game 3, and had 33 points and nine rebounds while shooting 12 of 22 from the field. Unfortunately, no one else decided to play basketball that day. The only other scorer in double digits was Tyler Herro, who finished with 14 points while shooting 5 of 15 from the field.

The rest of Miami’s starters combined for a dismal 22 points for the game, which is why they got their butts handed to them 99-79. I think they’ll have a better bounce back in Game 4, but it’s clear that Joel Embiid’s presence drastically alters this series. The Heat shot 35.1% overall and 23.3% from beyond the arc, and I don’t think they’ll be that bad again.

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Home: Philadelphia 76ers (1-2, 1-0 Home)

Projected Starting Five:

  • PG: Tyrese Maxey
  • SG: James Harden
  • SF: Danny Green
  • PF: Tobias Harris
  • C: Joel Embiid

Joel Embiid may not have had any chance to do conditioning work before Game 3, but he certainly still showed a lot of heart. He played 36 minutes while finishing with 18 points and 11 rebounds, which is a great sign for the Sixers considering he wasn’t anywhere near peak shape and still performed decently. Most importantly, Embiid also makes life difficult for Bam Adebayo, who must now be wishing he was still going up against DeAndre Jordan.

A balanced effort from the starters, which saw Danny Green and Tyrese Maxey both score 21 points while James Harden contributed 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists, was also key to their Game 3 victory. They’ll need more of the same, and Embiid’s presence opens things up significantly for everyone else.

You can’t underestimate the value of momentum either, as a blowout win may just be what lights the Sixers’ competitive fire. 

PREDICTION:

Spread: I think the Sixers cover the -2 spread.

Over/Under: I think the over 207.5 will hit.

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