Without Embiid, 76ers seek rebounds

The Philadelphia 76ers will look for a stronger performance on the glass without Joel Embiid on Wednesday when they visit the Miami Heat in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series.

Philadelphia was out rebounded by a 47-37 margin — including 15-9 on the offensive glass — in its 106-92 setback in the series opener Monday.

The 76ers also shot themselves in the foot by making just 17.6 per cent of their attempts from 3-point range (6 out of 34).

“Very similar to the (firstround series against) Toronto, in that we told our guys they can't have more rebounds than us, they can't force turnovers because they can't have more shots than us,” Philadelphia coach Doc Rivers said.

“We're working with a small margin for error, so we can't give a team 13 extra shots on the road without Joel and think we're going to win a game.”

Embiid had been ruled out for Wednesday's contest prior to the series opener due to an orbital fracture and concussion sustained in Game 6 in the opening round against the Toronto Raptors.

The five-time All-star also is nursing a torn ligament in his right thumb.

“Two things that we've been preaching, even from last series,” teammate James Harden said. “Things that we can control are rebounding the basketball and not turning the basketball over. (Those are) things that we can control, and once we do that next game, we'll have a better chance of winning.”

Harden had 16 points, a team high-tying nine rebounds and five assists; however, the former league MVP also made just 5 of 13 shots and committed five turnovers.

All-star Bam Adebayo made his presence felt on the interior for the Heat in the absence of Embiid. Adebayo sank eight of 10 shot attempts in the opener to finish with 24 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block.

Deandre Jordan finished minus 22 in just 17 minutes after being inserted into the starting lineup in place of Embiid.

Paul Reed came off the bench and showed some flashes before being hampered by foul trouble.

Miami could see a boost to its lineup on Wednesday with the potential return of Kyle Lowry, who has missed the past three games with a strained hamstring.