Philadelphia vs Miami: Sixers Get Closer but Still No Cigar

The Miami Heat came into the game at Wells Fargo Center with a 13-1 record against the Sixers over the past few years.  With Spencer Hawes back on the bench, there was little hope anything would be different this time.

The Sixers missed their first three shots, the Heat made their first two and the Heat never relinquished the lead.  LeBron James' 14 points led the Heat to a 31-18 lead after the first quarter, and it was time to switch to the NCAA games.

In the second period the Heat went on a 14-0 run to extend the lead to 52-28. With the Sixers shooting a dreadful 11 for 44 from the field, the Heat ended the half with a 57-30 lead.

The Sixers made a run in the third period and cut the Heat lead to 13 by the end of the period. In the fourth quarter, the Sixers got the fans back into the game with some ferocious defense and rebounding. But the Heat responded whenever the Sixers closed to within five points. Udonis Haslem was frequently the open man when the Sixers double-teamed, and he sank four baskets at key points in the fourth period. The Sixers closed to 80-76 with about a minute left in the game, but James hit a jumper from the side to seal the game.

Jrue Holiday and Lou Williams had atrocious shooting nights. They kept changing their shots at the last minute while trying to avoid a real or anticipated block. Between the two of them, they were seven for 31.

James led all scorers with 29. Andre Iguodala and Dwayne Wayne each had double-doubles.

The loss narrowed the Sixers lead over the Celtics to one game in the Atlantic Division.