76ers-Heat is the game no one wants to win. Basically: Philadelphia owns Miami’s draft pick, but only if it falls outside of the top 10. The Heat currently hold a one-game “lead” on the Nets for the 10th worst record in the league. If Miami wins and Brooklyn loses, there will be a coin flip for who gets the 10th pick. If Miami loses that coin flip, the pick is almost certainly going to the Sixers.
The 76ers and Heat aren’t even trying to hide their tanking
Transparent tanking is the best tanking.
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Ricky O'Donnell has covered basketball at all levels for more than a decade at SB Nation. He’s currently the Associate Director of Programming.
Philly wants Miami to win so it can have a chance at taking the Heat’s pick. Miami wants Philly to win so it can ensure it’s keeping its own lottery pick. The coaches aren’t even trying to hide their intentions:
The #sixers are starting JaKarr Sampson, Glenn Robinson III, Henry Sims, Jerami Grant, and Robert Covington.
— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) April 15, 2015 The #heat are countering with James Ennis, Henry Walker, Michael Beasley, Tyler Johnson, and Zoran Dragic.
— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) April 15, 2015 Somehow, three of those guys are normal players for the Sixers. At least Philadelphia isn’t starting “literally a chair.“ To be honest, we’re just hoping we get more groin-related celebrations from Michael Beasley.
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