The Miami Heat didn’t just beat the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday night — they outworked them, outmuscled them, and outlasted them. A 127-117 victory at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia extended Miami’s winning streak to four games and sent a clear message: without Joel Embiid, the 76ers are vulnerable. And without him, the Heat are proving they can thrive.
Heat’s depth overwhelms 76ers’ star dependency
Norman Powell didn’t just have a good night — he had a statement night. The 32-point explosion, including four three-pointers and two steals, wasn’t just about scoring. It was about control. With the 76ers’ defense scrambling to contain him, Miami’s offense found rhythm. Kel’el Ware, the 7-foot-1 rookie, turned heads with 20 points and 16 rebounds, dominating the glass against a 76ers frontcourt that had no answer. Meanwhile, Jaime Jaquez Jr. shot 10-of-12 from the field, and Bam Adebayo added 18 points, showing Miami’s offense isn’t reliant on one superstar. It’s a machine.
By contrast, the 76ers leaned too heavily on Tyrese Maxey. The league’s second-leading scorer came in averaging 33.4 points and had just dropped 54 on the Bucks two nights earlier. But against Miami’s disciplined defense, Maxey managed 27 points and six assists — solid, but not enough. He was the only 76er to score more than 20. Andre Drummond, usually a force, grabbed 23 rebounds but scored just 14. The Heat’s defensive stoutness — described by insiders as "accountability on that end" — turned the game into a grind.
The Embiid factor: A season on pause
Joel Hans Embiid, the 2023 NBA MVP, missed his seventh straight game due to right knee injury management. He’s now sat out 10 of Philadelphia’s 16 games this season. The 76ers aren’t hiding it — they’re managing him. But the impact is undeniable. When Embiid plays, they’re a top-5 team. When he doesn’t? They’re a team trying to survive.
The Philadelphia Sixers organization, founded in 1946 as the Syracuse Nationals, has spent years building around Embiid’s dominance. But this season, the absence is exposing cracks. Without him, their offense stalls. Their interior defense collapses. And their bench, even with rookie VJ Edgecombe sidelined by left calf tightness, can’t compensate. Head coach Nicholas Nurse called timeouts late, but no adjustment could replace the gravity Embiid brings.
How Miami turned a 105-103 game into a 13-point win
Here’s the twist: with 8:28 left in the fourth quarter, the 76ers were within two points. Trendon Watford’s layup had cut the lead to 105-103. The crowd roared. The momentum felt like it might shift.
Then Miami went silent. And lethal.
They scored 13 of the next 15 points. Powell’s running layup with 4:40 left made it 118-105 — a 13-point swing in under four minutes. The Heat didn’t force turnovers. They didn’t rely on luck. They just moved the ball, hit open shots, and crashed the boards. Ware’s putbacks. Jaquez’s mid-range pull-ups. Adebayo’s post-ups. It was basketball as it should be played: disciplined, physical, and smart.
And the numbers don’t lie. Miami scored 64 points in the paint — 22 more than Philadelphia. That’s not a fluke. That’s a blueprint.
What this means for the Eastern Conference
The Heat are now 11-6, their sixth double-digit win of the season. They’re not just winning — they’re winning in different ways. Against elite teams. On the road. Without their best player. And now, without a clear #1 option, they’ve shown they can win with balance.
For the 76ers, this loss is more than a setback. It’s a warning. They’re 9-7. They have talent. But without Embiid, they’re not a playoff-caliber team in the East. The schedule doesn’t get easier. The next two matchups against Miami — both in Miami — could define their season.
Meanwhile, Erik Marty Spoelstra, the Heat’s coach since 2008, is quietly engineering something special. He’s not just coaching players. He’s coaching identity. And right now, that identity is resilience.
What’s next?
Philadelphia returns home to face the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday. Embiid’s status remains uncertain — the team says "day-to-day," but the pattern suggests he won’t play before December 1. Miami, meanwhile, heads back home to face the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday. The Heat’s next two games are against the 76ers — December 5 and December 21. If Embiid’s still out, those could be the most consequential games of the season.
One thing’s clear: the Heat aren’t waiting for the 76ers to get healthy. They’re building their own legacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Joel Embiid’s absence affect the 76ers’ playoff chances?
Without Embiid, the 76ers’ net rating drops by 12.4 points per 100 possessions, according to NBA Advanced Stats. They’ve lost all four games he’s missed this season by an average of 14.5 points. Even with Maxey’s scoring, their defense ranks 22nd in the league without him. Playoff seeding in the East is tight — every loss matters, and Embiid’s absence could cost them home-court advantage.
Why is Norman Powell performing so well for the Heat?
Powell, acquired in a trade last offseason, has found his niche as Miami’s primary scoring threat when Jimmy Butler is resting. He’s shooting 47% from three this season — a career high. The Heat’s ball movement creates open looks for him, and his ability to score off the dribble or catch-and-shoot makes him nearly impossible to guard in isolation. He’s averaging 22.8 points over the last five games.
What makes Kel’el Ware such a surprise contributor?
Ware, the 14th overall pick in 2025, was expected to develop slowly. But his 7-foot-1 frame, quick feet, and elite rebounding instincts have made him a revelation. He’s averaging 11.2 rebounds per 36 minutes — better than any rookie in the league. His 16-rebound game against Philly was the most by a Heat rookie since Hassan Whiteside in 2015. He’s becoming the interior anchor Miami didn’t know they needed.
How has Erik Spoelstra adapted Miami’s offense without a true #1 option?
Spoelstra has shifted to a "flow offense" — no set plays, just movement, spacing, and decision-making. The Heat lead the NBA in assists per game (29.4) and second-chance points (16.8). They’ve gone from relying on Butler’s isolation to using five-man motion. Powell, Ware, Jaquez, and Adebayo all take turns as the focal point. It’s unselfish, unpredictable, and hard to defend.
What’s the historical significance of this Heat-76ers matchup?
This is the first time since 2012 that Miami and Philadelphia have met three times in a single regular season. The Heat won all three meetings in 2012 en route to the NBA Finals. This year’s series could be just as pivotal — especially if Embiid remains out. The Heat have won six of the last seven meetings, and with their current momentum, they’re poised to extend that streak.
Is Tyrese Maxey carrying too much of the load for the 76ers?
Absolutely. Maxey is averaging 33.4 points and 6.1 assists, but he’s taking 22.7 shots per game — the highest usage rate of his career. The 76ers’ next highest scorer, Tobias Harris, is averaging just 14.9 points. When Maxey has off nights — like against Miami — the team has no Plan B. That’s not sustainable. The 76ers need more balanced scoring, or they’ll be eliminated early in the playoffs.