With the NBA trade deadline approaching, the Miami Heat will face the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night in a game featuring several key players unavailable.
The Heat will continue to play without Jimmy Butler, who is suspended. Butler has been a major topic in trade talks as the deadline nears, with several teams from the Western Conference reportedly interested in him.
The Sixers will likely be without Paul George (finger) again, and Joel Embiid will sit out as well.
Reports suggest that George, in the first year of a four-year, $212 million deal, is attracting interest from other teams. Philadelphia, struggling to meet expectations this season, may make a move before the deadline.
On Tuesday, the Sixers made a trade, acquiring Quentin Grimes from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Caleb Martin, who has dealt with injuries.
“I know him a little bit,” Sixers coach Nick Nurse said about Grimes. “I got some guys who played for me in Houston, so I did some research when I heard we got him. He’s played well, shooting the ball pretty well. I’ll see where he fits in, but I think he’s a good addition.”
Embiid, who recently returned from a 15-game absence, played in a 118-116 win over the Mavericks on Tuesday. He recorded a triple-double with 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in 36 minutes. However, Nurse mentioned that Embiid will rest on Wednesday during the second half of the back-to-back set.
“As long as we stay healthy, I feel like we still have the potential to accomplish what our goal is,” Embiid said after his return. “It’s tough, the position we’re in, but I’ve always believed we can win, no matter what. We just have to stay healthy.”
The Sixers have won five of their last seven games, while Miami is hoping to avoid a third loss in four games.
The Heat lost 133-124 to the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday, who shot nearly 53 percent from the field, including 19 of 41 from 3-point range.
Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro led Miami with 23 points each, while rookie Kel’el Ware added 17 points and 12 rebounds.
Miami is used to playing without Butler, but the team still hopes to resolve the situation with the veteran forward.
“At this point, you understand that it’s a business, and you don’t forget that it’s a business,” Adebayo said.
For the players on the court, coach Erik Spoelstra will be looking for a better defensive performance on Wednesday. Allowing 133 points to a team with an average offense won’t cut it.
“We were never able to really contain the ball regardless of what scheme we were in,” Spoelstra said. “Our defense didn’t travel tonight, and we paid the price.”
Wednesday’s game will be the second of four matchups between the Heat and Sixers this season. Miami won the first game, 106-89, in November, with Butler scoring 30 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.
