Blinksportsnews247Against the Miami Heat, reigning MVP Joel Embiid is sidelined, and Heat star Jimmy Butler is doubtful.
On Christmas Eve, the Miami Heat (17-12) will play the depleted Philadelphia 76ers (20-8).
But Philadelphia might not be the only team having trouble with their lineup. A few of the Heat’s main players are dubious for the showcase.
Miami has moved up to the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference after defeating the Orlando Magic and Atlanta Hawks in back-to-back games. In the meanwhile, on Friday night, the Sixers defeated the Toronto Raptors.
This is the report on injuries:
HEAT
Jimmy Butler: Uncertain – Strain in his left calf
Haywood Highsmith: Dubious – Cold in the Head – Not Covid
Josh Richardson: Most Likely to Have Back Pain
Dru Smith: Out: Third-degree acalculous sprain
76ERS
Mo Bamba: Likely – Ailment
Nicolas Batum is out with a strained right hamstring.
G League – Ricky Council IV: Out – Two-Way
Robert Covington: Likely – Effusion of the Right Knee
Joel Embiid: Disabled – Sprained right ankle
Terquavion Smith: G League-Three-Way Out
It’s a tall order to defeat the 76ers, even without Embiid. Tyrese Maxey, a rising star, is averaging 26.4 points on 46.8 percent shooting this season, which is a breakout performance. The current MVP leads the offense, but it can still be successful without him.
Butler has not started in either of Miami’s last two games. But guard Tyler Herro’s rise to prominence has helped them win. When facing a Philadelphia backcourt without Patrick Beverley, he might exhibit a similar level of dominance.
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