Shake Milton, 76ers drop Heat, 125-108

[January 15, 2021]  Shake Milton scored a season-high 31 points, Tobias Harris added 18 and the host Philadelphia 76ers had little trouble dispatching the depleted Miami Heat 125-108 on Thursday.

Ben Simmons bounced back from a subpar game Tuesday to post his 30th career triple-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists. Simmons reached the milestone in just his 228th career game, as he became the third-fastest in NBA history -- behind Oscar Robertson (75 games) and Magic Johnson (190) -- to hit the mark.

Tyrese Maxey contributed 15 points and Danny Green and Isaiah Joe had 12 apiece for the Sixers, who also ousted the Heat two nights earlier.

Joel Embiid had only nine points and five rebounds in 24 minutes.

The Sixers received a big boost with the return of Milton, Harris and Matisse Thybulle (eight points, four steals) from contact tracing. Seth Curry still remains out.

Duncan Robinson led the Heat with 22 points, Gabe Vincent added 21 and Tyler Herro had 17. Precious Achiuwa had 10 points and 11 rebounds for his second straight double-double.

The Heat had only eight available players once again and remained without standouts such as Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Goran Dragic and Kendrick Nunn, among others.

The Sixers shot 65 percent and finished the first quarter on a 14-1 run to take a 38-30 lead.

Miami Heat small forward Andre Iguodala (28) dribbles the ball against Philadelphia 76ers shooting guard Matisse Thybulle (22) defending and Miami Heat power forward Chris Silva (30) during the first half at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Simmons threw down a dunk with 4:48 left in the second for a 61-47 advantage.

Milton hit his first six shots and had 19 by halftime, when Philadelphia led, 73-58

When Simmons capped an 8-0 run with an offensive rebound and dunk, the Sixers moved ahead 86-66 midway through the third. Green then followed with a 3-pointer and Harris added a dunk for a 25-point lead, 91-66.

Miami briefly cut the deficit to 15 early in the fourth.

But the Sixers quickly extended their advantage to 109-86 when Joe hit a deep 3-pointer with a little more than eight minutes remaining.

The 23-point lead was more than enough of a cushion to propel the Sixers to victory.

--Field Level Media

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