Q: Ira, you picked Heat in six before Joel Embiid’s injury. What say you now? – Martin.

A: I’m not sure I’m ready to back off to a five-game gentleman’s sweep, considering we still don’t fully know where Joel Embiid stands with the possibility of masking up and moving forward. With a healthy Embiid, the thought was that even seven games was a strong possibility. We also don’t know if James Harden can recapture his previous magic, since we hardly have seen it while in a 76ers uniform. Look, with Harden, Tobias Harris, Tyrese Maxey and the possibility of Embiid as soon as Game 3, this still sets up as something more challenging than against Trae Young and the non-supporting Hawks cast. So since that series went five, figure on something potentially longer, a series whose length likely will be impacted by the 76ers’ 3-point success, including from Harden.

Q: How could Kyle Lowry have been trying to play in Games 4 and 5 of last series but yet is still out for Game 1 against the 76ers? This must have been a lot worse of an injury than the Heat were indicating. Do you see him playing at all in this second-round series or only if the Heat absolutely need him?- Jeffrey, Miami.

A: As stated during the first round, the Heat are in this for a championship and not merely advancing to the next round. So there is a bit of a long game in play here, even while avoiding looking too far ahead. As with the case in Games 4 and 5 against the Hawks, there is clear belief they can beat the (Joel Embiid-less) 76ers in the void of Lowry.

Q: Hi, Ira. We nearly swept Atlanta without much help from Bam Adebayo. Now amid Joel Embid’s absence wouldn’t and shouldn’t he dominate the next series? – Masoud, Tucson, Ariz.

A: This has been a recurring theme in this space, so I’ll follow with the recurring answer: That is not who Bam Adebayo is, at least on the offensive end. Elite offensive players have a definitive go-to move. And Bam’s is . . . ? Now, can Bam score against the likes of Paul Reed, Paul Millsap, Charles Bassey and DeAndre Jordan? Sure. But it doesn’t have to be a 40-burger, or even a 30-burger for the Heat to succeed. But if there is not even a threat, then the 76ers may well go with Georges Niang in a small-ball approach.

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