2 min read • March 05, 2022
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The big news headlining this tough Eastern Conference matchup is the loss of the Sixers G James Harden who will miss the contest due to a scheduled maintenance day for his hamstring issue. On the other side, Miami star player Jimmy Butler is dealing with soreness to his big toe and listed as questionable.
Heat SIC Health Score: 85
The Heat are the number one seed in the East and have enjoyed a fantastic season due to a complete roster built to go far in the playoffs. Miami goes into the game with both star players injured but enjoyed a 113-107 win without them on Thursday.
Butler (FD $8,200) will likely return to play versus the Sixers after resting the toe issue and this is huge as he is instrumental on both ends of the court.
If minutes are limited, bench players Max Strus (FD $4,000) and Caleb Martin (FD $4,400) should provide valuable playing time as both have been instrumental to the teams success this campaign.
Another bench player that is the running for 6th man of the year is G Tyler Herro (FD $6,900). Veteran PG Kyle Lowry will miss his third straight game to due personal reasons opening the door for more minutes at the guard position. Herro has averaged 25.8 points off the bench in the last five games and should continue to do so on Saturday night.
Sixers SIC Health Score: 73.6
The Philadelphia squad has played with a Ben Simmons Eeyore cloud over their heads all season before the Harden trade has lifted the teams spirits and given new found confidence to a Eastern Conference heavyweight looking to improve before the postseason.
The star came to the team with a hamstring ailment and will miss the contest as this is a scheduled maitenance day to keep the hamstring fresh.
This leaves a huge gap in the lineup and the Sixers will likely struggle to replicate his offense production.
Studs G Tyrese Maxey (FD $7,800) and C Joel Embiid (FD $11,000) will be leaned on to score and create buckets against a tough Heat defense.
With star guard Harden out, Miami holds the injury advantage going into their primetime matchup:
Gabe Vincent O11.5 Points - Lowry absence opens the door for more offensive opportunities, eclipsed this total in 3 of the last 4 games
Tyrese Maxey O4.5 Assists - With Harden and his 12 assists per game since joining Sixers out, Maxey will retake the ball handling duties
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