The Miami Heat took care of business once again in Game 2 against the Philadelphia 76ers, cruising to a 119-103 victory to take a 2-0 series lead as Joel Embiid continues to watch helplessly due to his injuries. What should have been an incredible series has been a laugher so far after the Heat won the first two games in Miami by a combined 30 points.

 

Miami used a full team effort to take down Philly in Game 2, shooting 51.3% from the field and 14-of-29 from 3-point range. Bam Adebayo led four Heat players in double figures with 23 points, while Jimmy Butler notched a double-double with 22 points and 12 assists. Victor Oladipo and newly crowned Sixth Man of the Year Tyler Herro combined for 37 points off the bench.

While things could change with the series shifting to Philadelphia for Friday's Game 3, it's hard to see that happening as long as Embiid remains out. Even if he comes back, he probably won't be at his peak level because of his multitude of injuries. Here's why the Heat are currently in good shape to sweep this series.

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Why Heat will sweep Sixers

The Joel Embiid factor

There are some rumblings that Embiid could return for Game 3. Sixers head coach Doc Rivers wouldn't commit to anything after Wednesday's Game 2, though, saying the superstar center still has a lot of hurdles to clear. There was also a report during the game from Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes saying Tuesday was the first time Embiid could use his phone again since the injury because of the light created from it.

Even if Embiid is able to tough it out, he's dealing with several issues. Before he broke his face and suffered a concussion in that final game against the Toronto Raptors, he also tore a ligament in his right thumb in the series. He almost certainly won't be at his peak MVP self whenever he comes back.

Now, a hobbled Joel Embiid is still better than no Joel Embiid. His hulking presence alone will make things more difficult for the Heat, and it should mean no more DeAndre Jordan. Still, Miami will surely aggressively attack him when he's out there and challenge him to make all sorts of plays while playing hurt.

Heat depth

While the Sixers are playing without Embiid, the Heat still don't have Kyle Lowry back, and it's unclear just when he will be back. While Lowry's injury could hurt them down the road if he doesn't come back soon, Miami is not just surviving but thriving right now in this series because of its own depth, in addition to Embiid's absence.

Moving past the current star trio of Butler, Adebayo and Herro, the Heat getting strong play from Oladipo in two of the last three playoff games has been a godsend. While he struggled in Game 1, Oladipo followed that up with 19 points on 6-of-11 shooting and 3-of-4 from 3-point range in 29 minutes off the bench. Oladipo providing two-way punch in Lowry's absence is clutch and why they took a chance on him despite all his injury woes in recent years.

Then there are all the other role guys stepping up. P.J. Tucker is still a ferocious defender who can knock down 3-pointers. Max Strus and Gabe Vincent have been unsung heroes all season and are starting because of Lowry's injury and the decline of Duncan Robinson. That's right, the $90 million man in Robinson has been out of the rotation so far this series because the Heat have better options. But if needed, Miami can still throw Robinson out there for a shooting spark. Remember, he set a Heat playoff record in Game 1 against the Atlanta Hawks with eight 3-pointers.

Miami also has Caleb Martin, Dewayne Dedmon and Markieff Morris as part of a deep bench.

James Harden just can't pick up the slack against this elite Heat defense

The Heat shut down Trae Young in the first round. They haven't shut down James Harden to the same degree, but The Beard hasn't produced like the Sixers have needed him to without Embiid on the floor. After a rather quiet Game 1, Harden put up 20 points, nine assists and four rebounds in Game 2. Those numbers are fine, but Philly needs more, at least with no Embiid.

Plus, once again, Harden struggled with his shooting efficiency. He was just 6-of-15 from the field and 1-of-5 from 3-point range. The Sixers were awful from 3-point range as a team, going 8-of-30 after going 6-of-34 in Game 1. Harden was 2-of-7 from deep in that first game.

Harden hasn't made more than two 3-pointers in a game in these playoffs since knocking down four in Game 1 against Toronto. In fact, that's the only game he has gone over two 3-pointers since the end of March. Gone are the consistent explosions from his MVP days.

With Harden merely a good player and not a great player against this elite Heat defense, that makes it so much harder to compete, regardless of Embiid's status. Miami can throw multiple bodies and looks at Harden and wear him down. Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris picked up the slack admirably in Game 2, but Harden just isn't giving enough and the shooters aren't knocking down enough shots. Danny Green was a wretched 1-of-9 from 3 on Wednesday.

It's a recipe for disaster for the Sixers, and the Heat have to be feeling confident about ending this series early.