MIAMI – The Sixers were hoping to snap their three-game losing streak Monday night in Miami. It was a close game through the first half before the Sixers fell behind big after intermission of an eventual 119-108 loss.
The Sixers' record dropped to 12-44 as they were handed their 10th straight road loss.
Jason Richardson, who returned to action for the first time in more than two years on Friday, did not suit up because Monday's game was the second night of a back-to-back. Jerami Grant also sat out with a lower-back contusion (see story), but the team did welcome Luc Mbah a Moute back after a one-game absence because of personal reasons.
Turning point
The game got away from the Sixers late in the third quarter. It was a three-point Miami lead with 4:34 to go, but heading into the fourth the Sixers found themselves down 12 points. The Heat shot 52.2 percent from the floor during the period compared to the Sixers' 40.0 percent.
Miami was still rolling when the fourth quarter started and built a lead as large as 21 points.
Follow the leader
The Heat still go as Dwyane Wade goes, but Goran Dragic is a great backcourt mate to pair with the perennial All-Star. Wade scored 18 points, while Dragic had 23 points and 10 assists.
NBA
The Heat offensive punch didn't stop with the team's guard. Luol Deng led all scorers with 29 points.
The Sixers had five players in double figures led by Hollis Thompson's 22 points. Nerlens Noel had 18 points, seven rebounds, four blocks and a couple assists. Robert Covington shot 3 of 8 from three-point range and finished with 16 points.
Stat-egic
The Sixers had great ball movement all night long. They turned in 27 assists on 40 made field goals.
Take a bow
Ish Smith, the latest free agent to join the Sixers, saw his first minutes in his new uniform. The Sixers are the eighth different team Smith has played for during his career.
"This is a great opportunity," Smith said before tipoff. "Obviously, I have been in the league searching for playing time and the right setting and hopefully this is a combination of both. I am just going to be me, and that is play fast."
Smith had seven points, seven assists, three rebounds and three steals in 24 minutes.
What's next?
The Sixers travel to Milwaukee to close out their three-game road trip against the Bucks on Wednesday night. It will be just six days after the Sixers traded starting point guard Michael Carter-Williams in a three-team deal in which they received a protected first-round pick.
Carter-Williams has not played since joining the Bucks because of a sprained big toe on his right foot.
The Bucks suffered an 87-71 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Monday, which marked the fifth straight game overall that MCW has missed.