Miami Heat: 3 reasons the season is over
2. Second half scoring too much to overcome
During this five-game series, the first halves were tightly contested, with only one game, Game 2, featuring a halftime deficit bigger than five points for either team.
The key for the 76ers in their series victory was the second half gap, as they outscored Miami by an average of 15.6 points in the third and fourth quarters — a staggering number considering how close the Heat were able to keep the games early on.
The @Sixers outscored the Heat by 78 points in the second half during the 5-game series.. it’s the largest 2nd-half margin since the Nuggets - New Orleans Hornets playoff series in 2009..
— Kevin Negandhi (@KevinNegandhi) April 25, 2018
Miami shot 42.5 percent from the field and 36.9 percent from deep during the second halves, while Philadelphia converted on 50 percent from the field and 40.1 percent from beyond the arc. These numbers represent a clear indicator for the scoring gap.
The Heat couldn’t keep up with Philly’s ability to get out on the break and convert 3-pointers, as the opponent’s youth and athleticism clearly wore Miami down as each game progressed — ironic, considering one would think Miami’s physicality would do the same to Philadelphia.
Props to the 76ers, as their inexperience clearly didn’t play a factor in their ability to close out playoff battles. The Heat simply couldn’t match their offensive firepower.