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Apparently, the Philadelphia 76ers aren’t missing injured forward Elton Brand too much since they’re playing above .500 with him out of the lineup.  Saturday’s game against the Miami Heat would yet another test as to the Sixers’ resiliency; this game would find that the bench would provide a much needed lift as they scored 41 points, leading Philadelphia to the 94-84 victory at the Wachovia Center.

Neither team shot very well in the first half although the 76ers started strong early, taking an early 7-0 lead; however, the Heat would rally and both teams would go to their respective locker rooms tied at 44.  Dwyane Wade and Mario Chalmers scored 19 of Miami’s 25 points in the third quarter, pushing the Heat’s lead to 69-63; the Sixers would miss 14 of their 18 shots in the period, but 11 free throws made in the third period kept the game close.

Philadelphia trailed most of the second half untila layup by Royal Iveygave them a 74-73 early in the fourth quarter; after Wade missed one of 2 free throws, Chalmers would miss a pair.  But Lou Williams would make 2 free throws and Ivey drained a 3-pointer to put the 76ers up 79-74; Marreese Speights would reject a Wade shot attempt and Thaddeus Young would hit a 3. 

After a Miami timeout, Ivey stole a pass and scored on a layup, capping a 23-5 Sixers run.  Both teams traded baskets before Ivey hit another trey for an 89-78 lead, icing the game for the 76ers.  Andre Miller and Speights shared high scoring honors for Philadelphia, scoring 15 points each – with Miller grabbing 3 rebounds and dishing out 5 assists while Speights grabbed 6 boards, dished out 2 assists and blocked 2 shots; Young added 14 with 2 rebounds and 2 assists.

Miami was led by Wade with 21 points, 4 rebounds and 7 assists while Chalmers added 18 with 5 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 steals; Michael Beasley came off the bench to chip in 14 with a rebound and 2 assists.  Philadelphia (25-24) plays again on Monday when they host the Phoenix Suns while Miami (26-23) returns home to host the Charlotte Bobcats on Sunday evening.