clash against Federer looming. But can we ever expect to see Del Potr

PHILADELPHIA -- If Joel Embiid and Hassan Whiteside have their way, centers are going to be big in the NBA again.Embiid had 22 points, including four late free throws, to lead the Philadelphia 76ers over Whiteside and the Miami Heat 101-94 on Monday night in a matchup between two of the top big men in the Eastern Conference.Neither disappointed.Whiteside set a career high with 32 points while reaching double digits in rebounds for the 13th consecutive game to start the season. Whiteside, who entered leading the NBA with 16.2 boards per game, finished with 13.Around the league theres a lot of young big men, and I think were starting to come back, said Embiid, who played 23 minutes. So one thing I told him is keep killing it. As big men, we all want each other to do good. Ive always studied him in the past. Its always been a big man league, so I want it to stay like that.Gerald Henderson added 19 points and Jahlil Okafor had 15 for the 76ers, who won their fourth straight home game. Philadelphia (4-10) has lost 21 in a row on the road.I feel were moving in the right direction, coach Brett Brown said.Embiid has made an early case for Rookie of the Year despite missing two seasons with a foot injury. He set a career high with 26 points in Philadelphias 120-105 win over Phoenix on Saturday night and followed that up with yet another strong game.He was serenaded with chants of MVP! MVP! late in the game from the home crowd, which hasnt had much to cheer about in the last few seasons during Philadelphias rebuilding process. But Embiid has given Sixers fans reason to hope.Philly loves that guy, Whiteside said. Ive never seen excitement like that. They love that dude. I was amazed.Embiid came up big again Monday, especially down the stretch.The teams were close throughout the second half. Hendersons corner 3-pointer gave Philadelphia an 85-80 cushion with 8:16 remaining. Whiteside re-entered shortly after that shot and helped Miami tie it at 89 with 4:43 left on a tip-in.Philadelphia responded with nine of the next 11 points, capped by Embiids two free throws with 2:27 left that gave the 76ers their biggest lead to that point, 98-91.Theres a spirit he has at the end of games and on the bench that reflects toughness and a growing desire, Brown said of Embiid.PITCHING INRobert Covington also came up big during the late Sixers run, scoring on a reverse layup and a 3-pointer.Covington was booed upon entering the game in the fourth quarter due to his recent shooting struggles. He entered having missed 27 of his last 31 shots and finished 4 for 13 against Miami.It goes in one ear, out the other, Covington said. Ive been here two years. I see the ups and downs of how Philly fans are, and it doesnt affect me. Just keep playing.The 3-pointer eased Covingtons mind.It was a big relief, he said. My teammates just kept telling me to keep shooting. I was like, Im going to have one good shot.KEEP ME IN, COACHWhiteside, plagued by foul trouble, played 32 minutes. He ended the night with five fouls, but would have liked to have seen more time on the court.One day he is going to trust me with the five fouls, Whiteside said of coach Erik Spoelstra.BIG SHOTEmbiid is the rare big man who has a feathery touch from outside. He shot 7 of 13 from the field and hit one of his two 3-point attempts. For the season, Embiid is shooting 49.2 percent from the floor and has drained 11 of 21 3-pointers.TIP-INSHeat: Shaquille ONeals No. 32 jersey will be retired by Miami on Dec. 22 during a ceremony at halftime against the Los Angeles Lakers. ... F Willie Reed (knee) didnt play after leaving Saturdays game at Washington.76ers: Offseason acquisition Jerryd Bayless made his season debut for Philadelphia and scored four points in 16 minutes. Bayless missed the first 13 games with a left wrist injury. . Embiids minutes are restricted in the wake of his foot injury.UP NEXTHeat: At the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night.76ers: Host the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night. Cincinnati Reds Pro Shop . There are surprises among the Vezina candidates, but most of the others are standard top-tier performers, even if the two Hart Trophy runners-ups have never been quite as good as they have been through the first half of the season. Reds Jerseys China . The catch: It needs a lot of money, and it needs it fast. https://www.cheapredsjerseys.us/ . -- The Magic have their first victory of the new year. Cincinnati Reds Shirts . 8 Iowa State on Saturday, sending the Cyclones to their third consecutive loss. The Longhorns (14-4, 3-2) got their biggest win of the season with their third in the row in the Big 12. Stitched Reds Jerseys . Colin Wilson had two goals and an assist, and Mike Fisher scored a goal and helped set up two others in the Predators 6-4 victory over the Red Wings on Monday night.Andy Murray will be aiming to put a disappointing Indian Wells campaign behind him as he prepares for the Miami Open. The conditions will suit the British No 1 who has used Miami as a warm-weather training camp for years. But with Novak Djokovic in his usual fine form and Roger Federer back in the fold, what should we expect at the Miami Open?Sky Sports expert Mark Petchey has assessed five major players... Andy MurraySeeded in the opposite half of the draw to Djokovic, Murray will aim to bounce back from an early Indian Wells exit with an early tie against Borna Coric. He could then face his Indian Wells conqueror Federico Delbonis before either Kei Nishikori or Jo-Wilfried Tsonga await. If he progresses to the semi-finals, familiar faces in Federer and Djokovic lie in wait. Murray could rematch Federico Delbonis who eliminated him at Indian Wells Petchey said: Murray had a great run to the final last year and I think hes in a good place this year. The difference in conditions between Indian Wells and Miami is probably one of the greatest we have on the tour, apart from literally changing surfaces.He has got to play up-and-coming players with Coric possibly in the second round, or Grigor Dimitrov. Rafa Nadal is also in his half. John Isner is there, who has been playing well recently. Murray lost the 2015 Miami Open final to Novak Djokovic Its not an easy section. Coric is coming through and, if he gets through his first match, will be really up for playing Murray. So hell have to be ready to go from the very first match.His focus, after last week, will be on getting his campaign off to a positive note. Most of the top guys mentalities is that they would like to prove losses are a fluke but, having said that, it will be tough to play Delbonis again when hes feeling good about his tennis.If you watch Murray and Djokovics matches in Miami over the years, theyre very physical and its difficult to hit winners. Its punishing tennis they play against each other in Miami.Novak DjokovicThe 2015 champion is coming off an Indian Wells success and a 28th Masters win next week would be a record. He could play Britains Kyle Edmund followed by Dominic Thiem. In the quarter-finals, Richard Gasquet or Tomas Berdych look likely, while Federer may await in the semi-final. Highlights of the final at Indian Wells between Novak Djokovic and Milos Raonic Petchey said: From the Brit perspective, Edmund potentially taking on Novak in the second round is something to look forward to. It will be a great opportunity for Kyle to test himself against the very best player in the world.Its not possible to identify a weakness in his game with the confidence and health that he has. Trying to hit him hard and fast in rallies is not the way to go - up the middle is the place to go at him. Djokovic celebrates last years Miami win His continued dominance is testament to the fact that there arent any holes in his game, because if there were, the guys are ruthless enough to exploit them.dddddddddddd The reality of the situation is that he has to have an off-day for somebody to get past him.He finished Indian Wells immaculately against Milos Raonic so, after a few days rest, hell be back to his invincible best from the first round onwards. Its hard to look past him.Rafael NadalThe Spaniard is in Murrays quarter of the draw, but a daunting tie against Indian Wells runner-up Milos Raonic awaits in the fourth round. Stan Wawrinka is a likely quarter-final opponent while Nadal could meet Murray to contest a place in the final. Highlights of the semi-final clash at Indian Wells between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal Petchey said: He had set point against Djokovic at Indian Wells which is encouraging because he hasnt been particularly close in their last few matches. For Rafa, that will be a consolation.It underlines that Nadal is hitting the ball better than he was, and he looked like he was moving well in Indian Wells too. I think the signs are all good in terms of the next few weeks until he gets back onto his beloved clay where he shines.In Miami, he can show the continuing improvements from his perspective. Its an important tournament to keep building his momentum.Roger FedererA swift recovery from a knee injury poses interesting questions of the Swiss legend, who may face a fascinating second-round tie against Juan Martin Del Potro. Jeremy Chardy or David Goffin may then await Federer, followed by Marin Cilic or David Ferrer in the last eight. He is in the same half of the draw as Djokovic meaning they would meet in the semi-final. Roger Federer hasnt played since January Petchey said: For Roger, this is about getting matches under his belt because he hasnt played since the Australian Open. He needs to get back playing on the clay towards the French Open, thats the stage of his career that hes at.He would love to do well in Miami, he would love to win it, but ultimately he will want to get matches ahead of the clay court season.Roger has a tough draw but there will be a lot of interest in the Del Potro match. Roger will be excited to play him again due to his love of the game. He wont look at that as a negative, hell see a positive in that he gets to play Del Potro.Juan Martin Del PotroThe last two years have been wrecked by a wrist injury but Del Potro, whose ranking has plummeted to No 366, returns in Miami with an early clash against Federer looming. But can we ever expect to see Del Potro reach the heights of his heyday? Juan Martin Del Potro will be a popular addition to this years Miami Open Petchey said: If his wrist is 100 per cent, its not impossible to get back to his best.What were seeing at the moment is Del Potro slicing his two-handers and not driving with the same venom as he did during his pomp. Until hes confident in his own mind, I cant imagine he will challenge the guys who are fully fit.But service-wise and movement-wise there dont seem to be any issues there. I just think if you have a small weakness in your game, which he does, it will be interesting to see how he masks that. Its a tough draw if he gets past Guido Pella in the first round, to be honest.Watch the Miami Open live on Sky Sports between March 23 - April 3. Also See: ATP schedule Tennis on Sky Get a NOW TV pass Video ' ' '