The Miami Heat Dominate the Dismantled Philadelphia 76ers

PHILADELPHIA — With a crucial 118-95 win over the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on Saturday night, the Miami Heat extended their winning streak to four games, matching their longest of the season. After enduring a brutal stretch of losses, Miami is showing renewed life just in time for the final push toward the postseason.

The Heat (33-41) are still in danger of finishing with a losing record for the first time since 2018-19, but this latest stretch suggests they are not ready to fold just yet. They capitalized on a depleted 76ers roster missing stars Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey. While this victory may not be a statement win against a true contender, it keeps Miami’s postseason hopes alive heading into Monday’s matchup with the struggling Washington Wizards.

Herro Shines, Heat Fire from Deep

Tyler Herro led the way for Miami with 30 points on an efficient 11-of-17 shooting, including five three-pointers. The young guard, who has been heating up of late, has now scored at least 29 points in four of his last six games. Herro’s ability to take over offensively has been crucial in Miami’s resurgence, and his confidence continues to grow as the playoffs approach.

Alongside Herro, Alec Burks had his best performance in a Heat uniform, dropping a season-high 20 points while knocking down six triples. Kel’el Ware contributed a dominant presence in the paint with 13 points and 14 rebounds, marking his fifth double-double in the last eight games.

Miami’s three-point shooting played a significant role in the blowout victory, as they connected on 20-of-43 attempts from beyond the arc. Their ability to stretch the floor overwhelmed a Philadelphia team that lacked the defensive firepower to keep up.

Game Flow: Heat Seize Control

The Heat set the tone early, jumping out to a 34-29 lead at the end of the first quarter and extending it to 62-53 by halftime. The 76ers made a brief push in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to three points midway through the period, but Miami responded emphatically. Burks drilled a buzzer-beating three-pointer at the end of the quarter to push the Heat’s lead to 21 points, and from there, they never looked back.

With the game well in hand, head coach Erik Spoelstra was able to rest Bam Adebayo for the entire fourth quarter. Herro remained on the court a little longer as the 76ers attempted a late rally, but with Miami comfortably ahead by 21 points with two minutes remaining, Spoelstra pulled him as well. The lopsided score allowed Miami to give minutes to G League call-ups Isaiah Stevens, Keshad Johnson, and Josh Christopher in garbage time.

Heat Continue Rotational Adjustments

With Andrew Wiggins sidelined due to a hamstring issue, Spoelstra once again tweaked his starting lineup, rolling out the franchise’s 25th different starting five of the season. Pelle Larsson got the nod, making his third career start. The fluidity in Miami’s rotations has been a challenge, but the team is finally finding a groove despite the constant adjustments.

Bam Adebayo chipped in with 16 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, while Haywood Highsmith added 13 points off the bench. The Heat’s ability to get balanced scoring from multiple contributors made it an easy night against a 76ers squad missing its usual firepower.

76ers Continue to Slide

On the other side, Philadelphia (23-51) continued its freefall, dropping its seventh straight game. Their injury-riddled roster struggled to keep pace, despite solid contributions from Jared Butler (19 points, 10 assists), Justin Edwards (17 points), and Adem Bona (16 points, 10 rebounds). The Sixers’ lack of depth has been their downfall in recent weeks, and this latest loss officially eliminated them from playoff contention.

Making matters worse, Philadelphia’s ongoing tanking efforts could prove costly. Due to a prior trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder, the 76ers will lose their 2025 first-round draft pick unless they finish with one of the six worst records in the league. With their current standing on the edge of that cutoff, every loss increases their chances of securing a protected draft selection.

What’s Next?

The Heat will look to extend their winning streak to five games when they visit the Washington Wizards on Monday night. Facing the league’s worst team, Miami has a prime opportunity to keep their late-season momentum rolling. Meanwhile, the 76ers will attempt to salvage some dignity as they take on the Charlotte Hornets, but with their stars still sidelined, more struggles seem inevitable.

For Miami, the road ahead remains uncertain, but with renewed confidence and a favorable schedule, they have given themselves a fighting chance. Whether this recent hot streak is a sign of genuine improvement or merely a temporary boost against weakened opponents remains to be seen. One thing is clear: the Heat are not ready to go down without a fight.