76ers vs. Heat: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More
Saying it's been a rough stretch lately for the Miami Heat would be an understatement.
They've lost three of their past five games, all by double digits, and have only posted a 10-7 record since March 1. That's far from the look of a legitimate title contender.
The Heat get their chance at redemption Tuesday night when they host the Philadelphia 76ers in the first of five consecutive home games. It's certainly time to start considering big games as must-wins, as the Heat want to get things figured out as the playoffs near.
For the Sixers, it's a must-win for a totally different reason altogether. Philadelphia has lost six of its past 10 games and in the process has fallen out of the Atlantic Division lead for the first time all season.
It could be a tough battle for the Sixers, who are 0-3 on the season against Miami.
There's a lot riding on the line as two playoff teams look to get things turned in the right direction. Let's take an in-depth look at everything you need to know for this Eastern Conference clash.
Where: AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Fla.
When: Tuesday, April 3 at 7:30 p.m. EDT
Watch: Sun Sports, CN8-PHI
Live Stream: NBA League Pass
Betting Line: Miami (-9.0)
76ers Key Injuries (Per Yahoo! Sports)
Day-to-Day: Andre Iguodala (left patella tendinitis) played in the last two games after missing the previous two games.
Heat Key Injuries (Per Yahoo! Sports)
Day-to-Day: Mike Miller (left ankle) has missed 11 straight games and is listed as day-to-day, but he hasn't returned to practice.
What They're Saying
When asked how the Sixers might respond after a bad loss to Washington on Friday, head coach Doug Collins said, "I don't know," per Bob Cooney of the Philadelphia Daily News. What did he say after the team bounced back with a 95-90 win over the Hawks?
"It was the first time I said I don't know because I didn't know. ... I was having nightmares of 3-13 and I told our guys that story. I said that I wanted to believe that that's not who we are and they showed me [Saturday] that that's not who we are.
"
Collins was speaking of the Sixers' 3-13 start last season, during which the Sixers almost invented new ways to lose games. It was also a time when the players and the coach didn't appear to be on the same page very often.
Most Important Player to Watch: LeBron James
James is averaging 26.5 points per game, but he hasn't hit that number since last facing the Sixers on March 16, when James scored 29 points.
Since then, a span of eight games, James has only scored over 20 points four times, averaging only 20 points per game. As a result, the Heat have gone only 5-3 in that stretch.
LeBron's assists and rebounds have also been down since the collision with Grant Hill. He's averaging only 6.9 rebounds per game (8.1 on the season) and 5.8 assists (6.5 on the season). For the Heat to get rolling again, James is going to have to pick things up.
Key Matchup: Jrue Holiday vs. Miami Defense
Quite frankly, opposing point guards have had their way with the Miami Heat, as no team in the NBA has allowed more points to opposing point guards. If Rajon Rondo's performance on Sunday is any indication, the Heat will have their hands full with Holiday, who is more than capable of having a huge night.
Slowing down Holiday can go a long way to a Miami win, as the Sixers aren't the most aggressive offensive team, on pace to attempt the fewest free throws per game in over 60 years.
Prediction:
Heat 94, Sixers 88
