Butler and Herro Combine for Blowout Victory Over 76ers

Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro combined for 48 points and the Miami Heat dismantled the Philadelphia 76ers Thursday night 129-101. With the win, Miami just sits one game back of Brooklyn for the sixth seed in the Eastern conference. Passing Brooklyn would mean the Heat wouldn’t have to face the eight seed in the play-in-tournament.

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How Butler and the Miami Heat Did it

Joel Embiid started the game hot. The Cameroon native had 10 points midway through the first.

Joel Embiid twists and scores through contact!

10 PTS in the 1Q for the NBA's scoring leader on TNT 🔥 pic.twitter.com/MxA0WfToaY

— NBA (@NBA) April 6, 2023

However, a relatively even first quarter saw the Heat break away in the last few minutes. Miami would score 16 points in the final three minutes of the first period to take a double-digit lead.

The Heat finished the first frame leading 41-31.

Set the tone pic.twitter.com/R4oebEM4RO

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) April 7, 2023

Miami’s key players played well to stretch the lead. Behind a near franchise record 39 assists, Max Strus and Bam Adebayo combined for 28 on the night.

The breakout first half performance came from Herro. The former Kentucky star finished the game 7-17 from the field and 5-8 from beyond the arc to go with five assists.

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A three-point barrage by the Heat saw them shoot 46.1% from deep and take a 21-point advantage into the locker room.

🗣 KEEP IT GOING pic.twitter.com/1oq2cbuNVj

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) April 7, 2023

Miami continued its dominance in the second half, holding Joel Embiid to just 9 points total in the second and third quarters. As Miami’s lead grew too large, Embiid didn’t play in the fourth.

Jimmy Butler showcased his talents on both ends in the second half. Behind his 24 points, he added 6 assist and three rebounds.

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In addition to giving up 39 assists, the 76ers lack of perimeter defense showed. Miami drilled 18 triples on the night.

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Up Next

The Heat’s goal of avoiding the play-in is still a long shot. Brooklyn would have to lose out to Philadelphia and Orlando. Meanwhile, Miami would have to get wins over Orlando and Washington.

Miami will take on the Wizards Friday at 7 p.m.