Doc Rivers gives an update on the status of the 76ers' player. (0:28)
After dropping their first two games on the shores of Biscayne Bay to open up this Eastern Conference semifinal against the Heat, one question looms over the Philadelphia 76ers as the series shifts back to the City of Brotherly Love for Game 3 Friday night:
Will he be able to play in the third game?
76ers coach Doc Rivers said after Wednesday night's loss to Miami that he didn't know.
As far as talking, he looked good. I don't think he's cleared any of them right now because he has so many steps to go through. We have to wait and see.
Philadelphia was overwhelmed in the second game. Miami dominated the paint, outrebounding Philadelphia 44-34 and getting 21 second-chance points.
Through the first two games of the series, the 76ers are 14-for-64 from 3-point range, but they couldn't buy a 3-pointer, going 8-for-30 in Game 2.
Rivers said he liked the shots.
It is difficult with the shots you are getting. You don't pay much attention to the difference. They were 14-for-28. You can put the game there.
The Heat bounced back from their poor shooting performance in the first game.
Philadelphia found a way to hang around even without its star center. Maxey scored 34 points, breaking out in transition or slicing through Miami's defense to the rim. Harris finished with 21 points, four rebound, four assists, and four steals.
James Harden is seeing the same kind of attention being paid to him that the Heat gave to Trae Young in the first round.
They did a good job of trying to deny me the entire court, so it gave our guys more space to be aggressive if they are going to deny me wherever I am on the court.
Give them credit. If we make shots, it opens up the floor a little bit more, and you have to respect our shooters now.
Something else would distract attention from Harden.
The Heat expect to see the NBA's Most Valuable Player award winner in the third game of the series.
When asked what the return of Embiid would mean for the series, the Heat coach said it would change dramatically. We will have to see.
We knew that this series was going to change if he came back. He changes the equation quite a bit when we get a couple wins first.
The question is not only whether or not he will be able to play in Game 3, but whether his return will be enough to tilt this series in Philadelphia's favor. Niang was favoring a knee in the second game. Niang has been playing at less than 100% for some time now.
The part-time participant in Philadelphia's first round series in Toronto who didn't meet Canada's vaccine requirements has looked lost. Danny Green is 2-for-14 from 3-point range.
The presence of Embiid would give Harden more room to operate and take some of the pressure off his teammates. Even if he is able to return, it is not certain he will be back to 100%.
Maxey said that if he is back that is great. It is a fight. It will be a fight on Friday. Go at them is one thing that we can take away from these games. Attack them. Don't play with the ball in front of men. Once they help spray it out to our shooters, go downhill and then finish over the top.
Rivers said his team will fight to get back into the series in front of its home crowd.
That is what the film is for, and that is what adjustments are for, according to Rivers.
We will be ready for Game 3.
Nick Friedell contributed to the report.
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