Miami Heat vs. Philadelphia 76ers: 3 ways Joel Embiid’s absence changes series

The Miami Heat could focus its defense on James Harden and/or Tyrese Maxey

Even though the Miami Heat had plenty of success on the defensive end of the floor against the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the playoffs, there was no way they could implore that type of defensive scheme against the Sixers. Not with a threat that is Joel Embiid in the middle.

Without Embiid in the middle commanding double teams, or at the very least attention, that all changes. The Heat can’t really implore the exact defensive scheme it used on Trae Young against the Sixers, but they can now focus almost exclusively on James Harden and Tyrese Maxey.

That means their bigs could be used to hedge more or double on the perimeter without the threat of being burned by Embiid on a roll, pop, or inside the paint.

Without Embiid’s threat on the floor next to Harden or Maxey, the Heat’s defenders as a whole will have more liberty with different actions that the Sixers throw at them.