Sixers vs. Heat Game Preview (3/13/13)

The Sixers say hello to some familiar faces, as they get ready to host the Miami Heat at the Wells Fargo Center in the teams’ third meeting in the last three weeks.  Philadelphia played reasonably well against the Heat in the first two games, all things considered, actually leading for most of the game last week in Miami before faltering in the fourth quarter to lose by nine.  The Sixers enter play following perhaps their best performance of the season, in an impressive home victory over the Brooklyn Nets.  Philadelphia received key contributions from a number of players in that contest and will need all hands on deck once again facing a Heat team where LeBron James and Dwayne Wade are far more talented than anyone the Sixers can throw on them.  I could throw any number of stats at you but if you don’t know these are two of the top five players in the league right now, you haven’t been watching NBA basketball this season.

Miami’s winning streak now sits at a remarkable 19 games with especially impressive double-digit victories over the playoff-bound Pacers and Hawks in their last two games.  One positive for Philadelphia may be tired legs for Miami, as they will be traveling on the tail end of back-to-back after facing Atlanta last night in Miami.  However, the Heat are playing probably more confident and relaxed than at any point since the ‘Big Three’ was assembled; their Harlem Shake video from two weeks ago has reached over 40 million hits on YouTube, and though it’s utter ridiculousness, you don’t do those sorts of things unless you like where you are at as a team.  Miami has finally perfected its formula for success and the rest of the league should be on its guard.

Keys to the Game:

• Take advantage of the thin Miami front court.  If there’s one area where the Heat can be exploited, that would be it.  Thad Young had an outstanding game against Miami last week, scoring 25 points on 12-15 shooting.  He should be attacking Udonis Haslem whenever that match-up presents itself.  If Young can maintain his excellent play of late (18.6 ppg and 9.0 rpg in March), and Spencer Hawes can even approach his performance against Brooklyn, the Sixers might have a shot.
• Get out to an early lead.  First, there should be a larger than normal crowd on hand to watch the best player in the world.  If Philadelphia falls behind early, the fans will (perhaps rightly) expect yet another loss and will be more concerned with cheering for the Lebron and D-Wade high-wire act.  However, if the Sixers can hang around, enough of the crowd remembers the hard-fought playoff series against the Heat two seasons ago and will back their squad.  Philadelphia will need their supporters behind them if they are to pull off the upset.

Prediction:

Philadelphia continues to play tough but there’s just too much talent on the Heat sideline.  Without Iguodala around anymore to limit him, LeBron James nearly goes off for another triple double against the Sixers.  Miami wins fairly easily to stretch their winning streak to an amazing 20 games, while the Sixers streak ends at a more modest one game.  Philly Fast Break will be on hand at the Wells Fargo Center to take in all the action.