MIAMI _ The 76ers' final game before Jimmy Butler takes the court ended with a victory.
They defeated the Miami Heat, 124-114, Monday night at American Airlines Arena. The victory improved them to 9-6 and 2-6 on the road. The Sixers also split their two games since the blockbuster trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves was agreed upon on Saturday.
None of the players involved were able to play until the trade was finalized on Monday. Butler will make his Sixers debut on Wednesday against the Orlando Magic at the Amway Center.
But Joel Embiid and JJ Redick led the Sixers to victory without him.
Embiid finished with game highs of 35 points and 18 rebounds for his 14th double-double in 15 games. Redick added 25 points. Ben Simmons had 13 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
Markelle Fultz had a poor shooting night, scoring five points on 2-for-8 shooting. He made 1 of 3 free throws to go with five assists.
Fultz's shooting form at the foul line is getting worse. His hitch on free throws with 6 minutes, 9 seconds left might be something he'd like to erase. Fultz nearly hit himself in the head before double-clutching on a pair of foul shots. He made the first and missed the second.
Wilson Chandler also started for the Sixers.
Reserve post player Mike Muscala returned to action after missing three games. He was sidelined with a facial laceration and a broken nose after colliding with T.J. McConnell on Nov. 6 during practice. He wore a protective mask against the Heat.
Muscala (13 points) and reserves Furkan Korkmaz (career-high 16) and Landry Shamet (10) were the Sixers' other double-figure scorers.
Goran Dragic paced the Heat (5-8) with 22 points while Hassan Whiteside had 13 points and 11 rebounds. Eleven of Whiteside's points came on 5-for-6 shooting in the first quarter. He got into foul trouble and went on to miss his only two shots for the rest of the game.
In addition to Butler, the Sixers received Justin Patton in exchange for Robert Covington, Dario Saric, Jerryd Bayless, and a 2022 second-round pick.
Saric and Covington said their goodbyes on Instagram on Monday. Covington sent his gratitude to the Sixers and Philadelphia for allowing him to grow as a player there over the last four years.
"Thru the ups and downs, I learned a lot here and y'all always had our back," Covington posted. "It's been a incredible journey and I definitely wouldn't change it for the world. I built friendships and bonds that will last a lifetime. Now a new journey awaits and I'm thankful for this opportunity. Until next time Philly!!!"
Saric said it was an honor to be a part of the Sixers organization and the city.
"I gave hundred percent every game to make the city proud," Saric said. 'Thank you Philly! The life goes on. It's time for new adventures."
