Philadelphia 76ers: 5 keys to series vs. Heat

The Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat meet in the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs as No. 3 meets No. 6 in a battle of the league’s top big men.

The Philadelphia 76ers turned in a solid performance during the 2017-18 regular season and look ready for the 2018 NBA Playoffs. They peaked at just the right time, winning their final 16 games, eight of which came without the services of big man Joel Embiid.

The Sixers will be without Embiid for at least Game 1, but that shouldn’t slow them down. Ben Simmons is firing on all cylinders, J.J. Redick and Marco Belinelli are hot from 3 and Markelle Fultz is back.

It’s fitting Fultz finished the regular season with a triple-double off the bench in 25 minutes. He became the youngest player in NBA history to achieve a triple-double in a 35-point blowout of the Milwaukee Bucks, recording 13 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds this past Wednesday night.

As for the Miami Heat, the Sixers split the regular season series, 2-2. Philadelphia won its two home matchups against the Heat, then lost the ensuing road games late in the season. Joel Embiid only missed one of their four meetings this season, with Philadelphia winning in his absence.

They played a number of close games throughout the regular season, which makes for an interesting first round matchup in the 2018 NBA Playoffs. Here are five keys for the Philadelphia 76ers in their series against the Heat.