The Heat will play on Christmas Day for the 14th time in franchise history when they match up with Philadelphia. Coach Erik Spoelstra says he doesn’t mind playing on the holiday and considers it a badge of honor, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald writes.
“I always mention it to our locker room that it is an honor to have that opportunity to play on Christmas,” he said. “The whole league doesn’t play on the holiday. There were several years in a row, where we were never considered for playing on Christmas. Then you go back before, you almost took it for granted that we were always going to play on Christmas. So I don’t want any of our guys to [take it for granted], and I know they don’t.”
We have more on the Eastern Conference:
- Some of the intrigue in the matchup between the Sixers and Heat will be removed, due to Joel Embiid‘s absence. The Sixers’ superstar didn’t make the trip to Miami because of an ankle injury, ESPN’s Tim Bontemps reports. Embiid suffered the injury in Friday night’s win over the Raptors when he landed awkwardly trying to block a shot midway through the first quarter. He finished the game with 31 points and 10 rebounds. Philadelphia plays Wednesday in Orlando, and the team said the big man’s status for that game has yet to be determined.
- The Heat will retire Udonis Haslem’s No. 40 jersey in a ceremony on January 19 during halftime of their game against the Hawks, the team announced in a press release. Haslem will become the sixth Heat player to have his jersey retired, joining Alonzo Mourning, Tim Hardaway, Shaquille O’Neal, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade.
- Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla feels more at ease with his media responsibilities this season, he told Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe. He struggled with that aspect of his job last season when he was thrust unexpectedly into the head coaching position. “I never want to be a distraction to the players and organization. So I’m learning how to be emotionally open,” he said. “I’m going to argue with you from time to time. It doesn’t mean I don’t like you or agree with what you’re saying. And, jokingly, I can’t understand why people give two [expletives] about me. I just don’t understand that. But they don’t care about me; they care about the role of the head coach of the Boston Celtics. So once I realized that I was like, ‘OK.’”
Well well, just when I actually start to change my mind on Embiid he ducks another big, spotlight game. Nothing to see here, carry on.
You obviously did not watch the game or see the mvp roll his ankle and continue to play. And oh by the way put up another double double 30 and 10 despite being noticeably hobbled you completely ignorant obviously uninformed misguided waif. Lil Brains aka Dumbledore
Dumbledore was a revered wizard so I take that as a compliment!
Of course. Always looking for a reason to hate the best player in the league. Stay mad.
If you think Embiid is the best player in the league you must have either written the Iliad or married Marge Simpson…
No question Joel is not only the best player in the league,but is doing it with proficiency beyond ridiculous. I agree with Ant he is unstoppable. Numbers don’t lie,Dominant. As Big Perk would say you are dismissed.
Let’s see him do it against teams that are above .500…
Destroyed the Timberwolves!!
I care about him being healthy for playoffs. They’re 20-8 right now, I’d say the regular season part has been fine thus far.
It sounds like someone bought tickets and is mad..lol
Next time mvp Kawhi sits out a game see if he also gets the benefit of the doubt
Ridiculous nonsensical comment but see source.
Bruh, I’m a certified Embiid hater and even I don’t think that low of him. C’mon now.
Then your certificate is revoked. Merry Christmas.
You are certified dismissed also.
Merry Christmas (and Happy Holidays) to Coach Mazzulla & all of the Celtics team! Away from home on Christmas but at least being around LA which s/b good!
Thanks for the growing team play which is great to watch! Thanks to Coach Joe for hanging in there under such scrutiny and rising to the position of Celtics Head Coach. Thanks also to Joe for his public encouragement of his players.
Go Celtics!
Sixers have Been the surprise team so far. They’re playing like a top team. And Embiid is the biggest reason why ….. 20-8.
A man who knows what he sees.