On May 2, Beijing time, the 2021-22 NBA playoffs continued. According to the schedule, the Heat will host the 76ers in the first leg of the Eastern Conference semifinals tomorrow. Earlier today, both teams released their latest injury reports, embiid will miss series G1G2 and Lowry will miss G1!
On the 76ers side, Embiid will not travel with the team to Miami, and he will miss the first two games of the series. Optimistic estimates are that Embiid could make a comeback at G3 or G4 at the earliest, but only if Embiid passes a union concussion agreement and seeks medical attention to an orbital fracture injury midweek. In Round 6 of the 76ers and Raptors series, Embiid suffered a fractured right eye socket and a mild concussion. Throughout the first-round series, Embiid averaged 26.2 points, 11.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists on 6 games and shot 52 percent from the field.
There is no doubt that the 76ers have been the underdog in this series due to Embiid's absence, said Big Van Gundy: "Embiid is absent, and the Heat will have a huge advantage in this series." Harden said: "Embiid's absence makes the outside world look down on us. But against the Heat series, we need to play more comfortably, and we play with absolute confidence. ”
On the Heat side, Lowry will not play in the first game of the series due to a hamstring injury, after he missed G4 and G5 against the Eagles due to injury. In addition, the Heat side also has Morris (non-COVID-19), Martin (ankle injury), Tucker (calf injury), Strus (hamstring injury), Butler (knee injury) and Hiro (respiratory disease) in doubt.
Heat coach Spollstra said of the injuries that have been suffered by multiple players in this series: "I think it will be a series of changes, because there are likely to be a lot of changes in whether players can play during this series. For some players who are suspicious of the Heat's appearance, Spoo said he was optimistic about their appearance.
Commenting on Embiid's absence, Spoo said: "Embiid was absent, and the video of Harden leading the 76ers was very limited, so we watched a lot of Harden's footage from the Rockets period to prepare for the game, and he was the most used player in the league during that time. Tucker's knowledge of him can help our team. The Heat felt they were prepared, and so did we. Three days of training are good and we're ready to fight them. ”
The two teams will host the first match of the series tomorrow at 7:30 a.m. Beijing time, and the Heat will sit at home.