Final
Rising Heat carry win streak into south Philly
Feb 23, 2013 - 4:04 PM (Sports Network) - The Miami Heat carry a nine-game winning streak into the City of Brotherly Love Saturday night when they take on the Philadelphia 76ers.The Heat haven't lost since Feb. 1 and have won all three of their games on this current road trip, which ends Saturday in Philly. Since the All-Star break, the Heat have toppled the Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls away from home.
Against the Bulls, the Heat forced a season-high 27 turnovers and held the Bulls to a season-low 67 points. Chicago didn't crack the 20-point mark in any of the last three quarters, and only managed 13 points in both the second and fourth quarters.
"It wasn't a clean game but...at an elite level when you play good basketball teams on their home court, you have to find different ways to win sometimes," Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said.
LeBron James was his usual awesome self against the Bulls. He had 26 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Dwyane Wade chipped in 17, Chris Bosh added 12 and Ray Allen scored 11 points off the bench.
The Heat have done it with defense to some degree during this winning streak. Only two teams have scored over 100 against Miami.
The Heat have three straight at home after they return from Philadelphia, starting Sunday evening against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Sixers have dropped three straight, including a 94-87 setback Wednesday in Minnesota against the Timberwolves. Minnesota grabbed a 15-point lead at the half and the 76ers clawed back, but it wasn't enough.
"We played terribly. I don't know what else to say. It was terrible," said head coach Doug Collins. "No energy. No life at all. It was terrible. I can't candy coat it anymore than that."
Evan Turner led the Sixers with 17 points, while All-Star guard Jrue Holiday added 16. Damien Wilkins and Dorell Wright both scored double figures off the bench.
The Sixers have struggled badly on offense, ranking 29th in the NBA in scoring at 92.2 ppg. They've gone over the century mark in scoring just once in their last 10 games and just five times in 21 games since the new year.
Philly has lost two of its last three at home.
The Heat have won 11 straight over the 76ers, including five in a row in Philadelphia.
- MIAMI: 114
PHILADELPHIA: 90
Final
Feb 23 9:43 PM - MIAMI: 87
PHILADELPHIA: 71
End of 3rd
Feb 23 9:15 PM - MIAMI: 56
PHILADELPHIA: 47
Halftime
Feb 23 8:33 PM - MIAMI: 27
PHILADELPHIA: 24
End of 1st
Feb 23 8:03 PM - MIAMI: 2
PHILADELPHIA: 0
1st Quarter - 11:41
Feb 23 7:41 PM
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