The Miami Heat defeated the Philadelphia 76ers by a score of 99-79 on Friday night in Wells Fargo Center. The loss snapped a four-game winning streak for the Sixers and the Heat successfully bounced back from a loss to the Bucks. The 76ers now have a 16-7 record and are in fourth place in the Eastern Conference while they're in first place, ahead of Boston, in the Atlantic Division. Meanwhile, Miami has a 17-6 record which puts them in second place in the conference behind the Bulls, and in first place in the Southeast Division ahead of Atlanta.
The 76ers' starting lineup was led by guard Jodie Meeks, who scored 13 against the Heat. Jrue Holiday scored 11 while Andre Iguodala added 10. Both Elton Brand and Tony Battle were held scoreless in a combined 40 minutes of play. The team's leading scorer, Thaddeus Young, came off the bench to score 16. Lou Williams also scored 13 off the bench while both Lavoy Allen and Evan Turner both added eight.
The Heat were led by Dwyane Wade, who scored 26 points. LeBron James added 19 while Mario Chalmers added 13, Chris Bosh scored 12 and Joel Anthony added two. Mike Miller came off the bench to score 12, while Norris Cole scored 11 and Udonis Haslem scored four points.
The 76ers will try to rebound from their 20-point loss to the Heat on Saturday night on the road in Atlanta against the Hawks while the Heat will try to win two in a row Sunday afternoon at home against the Toronto Raptors.
For more on the 76ers, go to Liberty Ballers, and for updates on the Heat, head to Peninsula Is Mightier.