Wade turns back the clock and 76ers in Game 2 Heat victory

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Dwyane Wade turned in a vintage performance, scoring 28 points to end the 76ers' 17-game winning streak and lead the Miami Heat to a 113-103 Game 2 win over Philadelphia on Monday night and even the first-round playoff series.[br /][br /]Playing without injured All-Star center Joel Embiid for the 10th straight game, the Sixers nearly pulled off an epic comeback and rallied from 16 down to just two points late in the fourth.[br /][Ads /][br /]Philly fans were going wild and suddenly the home-court edge that had made the Sixers unbeatable for a month seemed like it would perk the team back up for one more notch on the winning streak.[br /][br /]Wade buried two big buckets down the stretch that pushed back the Sixers and tied the series as it shifts to Miami for Game 3 on Thursday.[br /][br /]The Sixers lost for the first time since March 13 to Indiana. They won 16 straight to end the regular season and the first game of the playoffs.[br /][br /]Wade's play resembled his glory days at times and he carried the Heat in a sensational second quarter that was the difference. He pump-faked his way to 15 points in the quarter - impressive enough, even moreso that he outscored the potent Sixers by two points.[br /][br /]The 36-year-old Wade made his first seven shots of the game and passed Larry Bird for 10th on the NBA's career postseason scoring list.[br /][br /]After a Game 1 victory where they couldn't miss, the Sixers couldn't make a big bucket in the first half. The Sixers made a team playoff-record 18 3s in Game 1 and missed a whopping 16 of 18 3s in the first half. Robert Covington missed all five and Dario Saric was 0 for 4. The Sixers made four baskets and scored 13 points in the quarter.[br /][br /]The Heat slowed the game down - exactly the kind of style where the Sixers needed Embiid in the middle - and used a collective of defenders on Ben Simmons that rattled the rookie point guard early.[br /][br /]The passing-and-pushing offense that got the Sixers to the No. 3 seed in the East failed them for the first time since early March.[br /][br /]But there was life left in the fourth.[br /][br /]Saric was fouled by Wade and sank both from the line to make it 91-82 and he followed with a 3 the next time down that sent the crowd into a frenzy. Saric broke up a pass on defense that led to a Simmons dunk and suddenly 18 straight wins was within reach.[br /][Ads /][br /]Ersan Ilyasova made a tip shot to close to 98-96.[br /][br /]Wade contributed with baskets, assists and free throws over the final 4 minutes to close out the win.[br /][br /]Simmons led the Sixers with 24 points and Saric had 23.[br /][br /]TIP-INS[br /][br /]Heat: Goran Dragic scored 20 points and James Johnson had 18.[br /][br /]76ers: Philly native and Hollywood star Kevin Hart rang the ceremonial Liberty Bell and sat courtside a few seats down from Allen Iverson. ... Team consultant Jerry Colangelo was at the game.[br /][br /]EMBIID UPDATE[br /][br /]Embiid wore his black mask and put on a 3-point shootout in pregame that had fans going wild with each shot. Again, there was no timetable on when Embiid would return this series, if at all.[br /][br /]"I can't wait to get him back," coach Brett Brown said. "He, to me, is the difference maker. Joel Embiid changes the dynamics in many ways of this team. There will be a reintroduction of him back into the team."[br /][br /]LINEUP CHANGE[br /][Ads /][br /]Ilysaova got the start at center for the first time in Embiid's absence over Amir Johnson.[br /][br /]REMEMBERING GREER[br /][br /]The 76ers held a moment of silence for Hall of Famer Hal Greer. Greer died Saturday after a brief illness. He was 81. He's the 76ers' career leader in points, field goals, field goals attempted, games and minutes played.[br /][br /]"He was a graceful man. He was class. He was a gentleman," Brown said.[br /][br /]UP NEXT[br /][br /]Game 3 is Thursday and Game 4 is Saturday in Miami.[br /]------[br /][b][url HREF="http://6abc.cm/2BucH0r" TARGET="blank" REL=""]Send a News Tip to Action News[/url][/b]l][/b][br /][b][url HREF="http://6abc.cm/2Gcv09s" TARGET="blank" REL=""]Learn More About 6abc Apps[/url][/b]