The Miami Heat are headed to the Eastern Conference finals for the second time in three years after defeating the Philadelphia 76ers, 99-90, in Game 6 on Thursday night at the Wells Fargo Center. Miami went on devastating runs to start the third and fourth quarters to extend its lead, while the 76ers struggled offensively for the entire night behind a banged-up Joel Embiid and a quiet James Harden.
Miami’s Jimmy Butler continued his postseason assault, leading the team in scoring (32 points) while playing his normal brand of lockdown defense. The real story for the Heat, however, was Max Strus, who set the tone early with his shooting, passing and rebounding. Strus ended with 20 points and hit four 3-pointers. Miami was one step ahead of Philadelphia all night long, with spectacular execution on both ends.
Embiid, who finished with 20 points on 7-of-24 shooting, came out more aggressively on offense, but simply couldn’t get going against the Heat’s suffocating defense.
MIAMI'S GOING TO THE ECF 🌶️
The Heat handle Philly in six games to advance! pic.twitter.com/EgrBJH6rFe
— ESPN (@espn) May 13, 2022
I want to congratulate Miami Heat owner Micky Arison, President and my great friend Pat Riley, and Head Coach Eric Spoelstra!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 13, 2022
