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Philadelphia 76ers: 5 keys to series vs. Heat

By Jerran Anderson

Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images /
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Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images /

4. Win the paint

The Philadelphia 76ers have their fair share of frontcourt players to dominate the paint, but so do the Miami Heat. Hassan Whiteside is averaging 14.3 points, 11.4 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. Kelly Olynyk is averaging 11.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. Rookie Bam Adebayo is averaging 6.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists per contest.

The Heat outscored the Sixers 44-28 in the paint in their last meeting of the regular season. Winning the paint and limiting the contributions of the previous trio of players will take the Sixers a long way in sealing a series victory. Philadelphia is first in the league in rebounds per game (47.4) while Miami ranks sixth in blocks per game (5.3).

The battle between Hassan Whiteside and Joel Embiid may not start on the court until after Game 1, but Whiteside will get a headstart with Embiid not in the paint.