Mar 29, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Quentin Grimes (5) shoots the ball against Miami Heat Kyle Anderson (20) in the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
The Sixers were officially eliminated from the playoffs with a blowout loss to the Miami Heat.
Here's what I saw.
- I see you, Quentin Grimes. The Sixers' trade deadline acquisition attempted to set a tone for his teammates early in the game, shouldering the offensive burden while the rest of his teammates were trying to gather some steam out of the box. Grimes laced a flurry of contested jumpers early in the game, including a triple on which he was fouled. He had the off-ball awareness to back-cut an overplay, catching the pass in stride for a finish at the rim. He didn't let the responsibilities on offense dictate his effort on defense. Grimes remained a pest for his counterpart, staying attached and low so as to not give his man any space.
It was a demonstration that set the dominoes into motion for the rest of the team. If he was going to give his best on both ends, his teammates could not slouch.
- There is no coasting for Adem Bona, whose motor runs endlessly. He had excellent bounce in this game, jumping out of the gym to catch and finish lobs and getting a full hand on blocks rotating to the strong side of the rim.
His hands have been a mixed bag this year, losing balls on the move and lacking anticipatory skills on passes. I'm inclined to say this was one of the better games for his hands. He was available to play release valve in congestion, ducking into view as the pressure approached the ball-handler and leveraging the decision against the defense with scores at the rim off those passes.
There were some miscues, to be clear. But I thought his hands largely took care of business.
- Nick Nurse recently said that he's been trying to get Ricky Council IV to play with more pace. The first half offered the film you'd want Council to watch on repeat. He was a boon for the Sixers' offense in the non-Grimes minutes, pushing the tempo right down the middle of the floor. His speed with the ball forced the Heat into bad guarding positions, causing them to foul Council on the drive to the basket. There was a sequence in the second quarter in which it felt like Council got an and1 every time down the floor.
- If you're going to pick a guy up in the backcourt, don't apply token pressure. Actually pressure the ball and make it difficult for him to get up the court.
- The Nets won. The Sixers are officially winning the tank-off, taking full possession of the fifth worst record in the league.
The Sixers (23-51) will host the Toronto Raptors (27-47) on Sunday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Eastern time. You can watch the game on NBC Sports Philadelphia.
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