:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/2578226/GYI0064484403.jpg)
The Miami Heat will be hosting the Philadelphia 76ers at the AA Arena tonight. It's the first of four meetings this season between the two teams, and the first of two times they will play in Miami. The Heat are 5-1 at home, Philadelphia carries a 4-3 road record into the game. For the Heat, this is the third game of a five game homestand. They beat the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday with a 39 point third quarter, 120-98. They beat the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday, 98-87. They continue the homestand on Sunday against the Milwaukee Bucks and on Tuesday against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 76ers just finished a three game homestand, going 2-1. After tonight's matchup, they will begin a seven game homestand, concluding with an engagement with the Heat on February 3rd.
The two teams last met on April 27th of last season in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals. Miami posted a 97-91 victory in game five to advance to the Conference Semifinals, against the Boston Celtics. The Big Three all posted double doubles, as Dwyane Wade scored 26 with 11 rebounds and seven assists, Chris Bosh had 22 points and 11 rebounds, and LeBron James scored 16 with 10 rebounds and eight assists. Mario Chalmers added 20 for the Heat. Elton Brand and Andre Igoudala led the 76ers with 22 points each.
NBA Playoffs 2011: Phila Sixers Vs Miami Heat Game 5 Highlights (via NBAHiighlights)
Miami took down the Los Angeles Lakers, 98-87 on Thursday night. The Heat led by 21 points after three periods before relaxing down the stretch. LeBron James scored 31 with eight assists despite going home earlier in the day with an undisclosed sickness to lead Miami. Chris Bosh tossed in 15. Pau Gasol scored 26 to lead Los Angeles.
Miami Heat vs Los Angeles Lakers [1.19.2012] (via CakesBerry)
The 76ers beat the Atlanta Hawks last night, 90-76 behind Jrue Holiday's 16 points and 11 assists. Thaddeus Young added 20 off the bench. Elton Brand had 10 points and 16 rebounds. Willie Green scored 14 to lead Atlanta.
Game Time: 7:30 EST
Season Series: 0-0
All-Time Series: 41-50
Standings:
Miami Heat: 10-4, second in the Southeast Division, tied for fourth in the Eastern Conference, tied for fifth in the NBA.
Philadelphia 76ers: 11-4, first in the Atlantic Division, tied for second in the Eastern Conference, tied for third in the NBA.
Starting Lineups:
Miami Heat:
PG - Mario Chalmers
SG - Shane Battier
SF - LeBron James
PF - Chris Bosh
C - Joel Anthony
Philadelphia 76ers:
SG - Jodie Meeks
C - Nikola Vucevic
--------------------------------------------------------------
Common Thread:
Neither team employs a player who has appeared with the other team.
Team Milestones:
James Jones needs two more 3-pointers to pass Jamal Mashburn into 14th with 211.
Four more 3-pointers will put Mario Chalmers at 305, passing Jason Williams into seventh.
Chris Bosh needs seven more free throws to pass Caron Butler into 19th, with 443.
With one more assist, Udonis Haslem will pass Rony Seikaly into 19th, with 574. Five more blocks will put him in 11th with 185, passing Brian Grant.
Team Leaders:
PPG:
LeBron James, 29.9
Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade,19.6
RPG:
Udonis Haslem, 9.4
Chris Bosh, 8.1
LeBron James, 7.9
APG:
LeBron James, 7.6
Dwyane Wade, 5.4
Mario Chalmers, 4.4
SPG:
Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, 2.0
Mario Chalmers, 1.7
BPG:
Dwyane Wade, 1.7
Chris Bosh, 1.0