Shorthanded Heat lose to 76ers 137-134 in overtime

Joel Embiid was too much to overcome for the Heat’s available players.

The Miami Heat had a golden opportunity to secure a scrappy road win against Eastern Conference rival Philadelphia 76ers, but squandered a 120-115 lead with half a minute left in regulation and would go on to lose 137-134 in overtime.

Miami had scored 10 straight points as part of a larger 22-5 run to storm back from a 12-point deficit for the late 5-point lead with just seconds left. But a clutch jumper by Joel Embiid, who was an unstoppable force with 45 points and 16 rebounds, would send the game into overtime.

The Heat, who fall to 4-5 for the season, had just eight players available tonight with Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Avery Bradley and Goran Dragic among several players who sat out tonight after being placed in the health and safety protocol, in addition to Kendrick Nunn, Maurice Harkless, Udonis Haslem and KZ Okpala. Meyers Leonard was also ruled out with a left shoulder injury.

Tyler Herro led the Heat with a new career-high of 34 points, several of the clutch variety, along with seven rebounds and four assists as well as six turnovers — one of which was a costly one in the backcourt that allowed the Sixers to regain possession late in the game — as well as last among the active players in +/- with -17 for the night. Nevertheless, it was still another highly impressive performance for the second-year player who put the team on his back and made several tough plays to give his team a chance to win it.

Duncan Robinson came through with a season-high 26 points and starter Gabe Vincent poured in a career-high 24 points. Rookie Precious Achiuwa was solid as a starter as well, contributing his first-ever double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds, and Kelly Olynyk notched 15 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Even Max Strus got in on the action with eight points in his first game with the Heat.

Just like they did against the Milwaukee Bucks recently, the Heat will get a rematch against the 76ers on Thursday in Philadelphia. Unfortunately they will have to do so with the same group of players that gave it their all tonight.