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Sixers-Heat playoff preview: Philly looks to build off regular-season success

The four regular-season games between the Sixers and Heat were decided by an average of 4.5 points

Sixers’ coach Brett Brown talks to reporters during practice at the team’s training complex in Camden, NJ on Friday.
Sixers’ coach Brett Brown talks to reporters during practice at the team’s training complex in Camden, NJ on Friday.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer
    by Keith Pompey | Columnist
    Published 

Miami Heat (0-0) at 76ers (0-0)

Saturday at 8 p.m., at Wells Fargo Center

Talking points

This opening-round playoff series should be exciting. The Sixers and Heat had a competitive four-game series in the regular season, where the contests were decided by an average of 4.5 points. The Sixers won their two home games and lost the two road matchups in Miami.

But on Saturday, the Sixers will look to continue to play well in games without Joel Embiid (fractured orbital bone near left eye), who will miss his ninth straight game. They finished the regular-season with an NBA record 16-straight victories.

How to watch and follow the game

  1. TV and streaming: NBC Sports Philadelphia; ESPN

  2. Radio: 97.5 FM

  3. Twitter: @PompeyOnSixers

Starting lineups

Heat (0-0)

0 Josh Richardson SF 6-6  12.9 ppg. 3.5 rpg

16 James Johnson PF 6-8  10.8 ppg. 4.9 rpg.

21 Hassan Whiteside C 7-0 14.0 ppg. 11.4 rpg.

8 Tyler Johnson SG 6-4  11.7 ppg. 3.4 rpg.

7  Goran Dragic PG 6-10 17.3 ppg. 4.8 rpg.

Coach: Erik Spoelstra (10th season, 484-320)

Injury report:  Dion Waiters (sprained left ankle, out).

Sixers (0-0)

33 Robert Covington SF 6-9  12.6 ppg. 5.4 rpg

9 Dario Saric PF 6-10  14.6 ppg. 6.7 rpg.

5 Amir Johnson C 6-10 4.6 ppg. 4.5 rpg.

17 JJ Redick SG 6-4  17.1 ppg. 3.0 apg.

25 Ben Simmons PG 6-10 15.8 ppg. 8.2 apg.

Coach: Brett Brown (fifth season, 127-283)

Injury report: Joel Embiid (fractured orbital bone near left eye); Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (Right knee patellar tendinitis).

Head to head

The Heat hold a 60 -57 series advantage.

Coming games

Monday: Game 2, 8 p.m., at Wells Fargo Center.

Thursday: Game 3,  7 p.m., at AmericanAirlines Arena.

April 21: Game 4, 2:30 p.m., at AmericanAirlines Arena.

April 24: *Game 5,  TBD, at Wells Fargo Center.

April 26: *Game 6, TBD, at AmericanAirlines Arena.

April 28: *Game 7, TBD, at Wells Fargo Center.

*If Necessary