The Miami Heat (26-30) begin the second half of the season in Philadelphia to take on the 76ers in their first game since the All-Star break. Philadelphia (37-21) will be without center Joel Embiid who has knee soreness. That could be a really big break for Miami, who we have learned will have access to Goran Dragic and Derrick Jones Jr. returning from injury, although it’s uncertain if either will play.

Game Info

When: Thursday, February 21 at 7:00 p.m. ET

Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PN

TV: Fox Sports Sun

Win Probability: According the FiveThirtyEight the Heat have an 21% chance to win.

Probable Starters

Philadelphia: Ben Simmons, JJ Redick, Jimmy Butler, Tobias Harris, Amir Johnson

Miami: Justise Winslow, Dion Waiters, Josh Richardson, Kelly Olynyk, Hassan Whiteside

Injury Report

76ers: Joel Embiid (Out)

Heat: Goran Dragic (Questionable), Derrick Jones Jr. (Questionable)

What To Watch For

Guarding Simmons + Redick
Now that the Heat are without Tyler Johnson, it leaves Miami with a difficulty in matching up with a team like this. Simmons, a 6-10 point guard will be guarded by a 6-6 Justise Winslow, that’s fine. But Redick will run circles around Waiters, and you don’t really want to switch Waiters onto Jimmy Butler. This could be a heavy minute load for someone like Rodney McGruder, but Miami needs offense to win. Spo has some planning to do here...maybe a zone at times.

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