Sixers vs Heat, Game 1: "We're going to keep starting him whether you like it or not."

Reminder: I'm not down in Miami for the first two games of the series as I'm still waiting to get cleared after testing positive for COVID last week. I hope to be down there for Games 5 and 7 (if necessary), but that is why there won't be quotes or post game audio included in these recaps. Thanks!

After sitting down to re-watch that catastrophe of a second half, a 56-41 shellacking that would have been worse had Miami not taken their foot off the gas, there's a lot to be aggravated with.

The obvious point of concern is the inclusion of DeAndre Jordan in the starting lineup to replace the injured Joel Embiid. That turned out about as well as anyone who has watched this team over the past few months would have expected – the Sixers were outscored 51-29 in the 17 minutes that Jordan was on the court, good for a -71.5 net rating. The Heat shot 63.6% (14-22) on 2-point shots and committed just one turnover, while rebounding six of their 16 missed shots, during Jordan's time on the floor.

But as much as I would like sit here and say that the 106-92 Game 1 loss falls squarely on Rivers' decision to start Jordan, there was more to it than that. I'm going to do this newsletter in a style I typically don't use: a list of free-floating thoughts.