Despite the absences of Jimmy Butler on the Heat side, and Joel Embiid on the Sixers, the poster kept all its promises with a snatched success for Erik Spoelstra's players. A meeting marked by incessant “runs”, and it was the Sixers, by Kelly Oubre Jr. and Tobias Harris, who struck first (21-12). Then, it's the black hole, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. shows off his power and technique to challenge Philly's interiors. At his side, Duncan Robinson hits from afar, and the Heat signs a 22-1 while the Sixers miss 14 shots in a row!
With Tyler Herro creating and finishing, the Heat opened up a 10 to 12 point gap, and it was the amazing Mo Bamba, at 3 points, who limited the damage (50-43). Except that Jaquez comes back into play, and that changes everything! Like a big man, he throws and punctuates a 10-0, and the Sixers are again on the ropes. At the break, Miami leads 63-49.
Duncan Robinson, the “sniper”
Returning from the locker room, the Heat strike from the start and the gap climbs to +21! We think the matter is settled, and yet the Sixers are unleashed to sign a 23-5 and return to three units. Once again, Mo Bamba strikes from afar. At the end of the 3rd quarter, everything had to be done again for the Heat (86-86), and fortunately Kyle Lowry equalized at the buzzer…
The 4th quarter is magnificent, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. can always count on Bam Adebayo to respond to Oubre, and especially Duncan Robinson to knock out the Heat. Twice, the Miami shooter hits behind the arc to give 7 then 9 points in advance (113-104). There are two minutes left, and this time, Philly will not come back, and loses 119-113. This is the Heat's 6th victory in eight games.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Erik Spoelstra, the King of Christmas. Nine matches, nine victories for Erik Spoelstra in the “Christmas Games”. This is the best record in history among coaches.
– Jaime Jaquez Jr among the greatest. Only six rookies have done better than Jaquez Jr. on Christmas Eve and they are Wilt Chamberlain (45 points), Walt Bellamy (35), LeBron James (34), Bill Cartwright (33), Patrick Ewing (32) and Oscar Robertson (32). With 31 points, the Miami rookie did even better than Michael Jordan (30 points) during his first Christmas game. He is also the first rookie, since Pat Ewing in 1985, to finish with at least 25 points and 10 rebounds in a Christmas game.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
