5 things we learned from the 76ers’ dismantling of the Heat

5. The Sixers’ young players are up for the challenge

Outside of J.J. Redick, Amir Johnson, Marco Belinelli and Ersan Ilyasova, none of the 76ers’ main rotation players had any playoff experience heading into Round 1. It was fair to wonder how Philly’s postseason neophytes would hold up against a veteran-laden Heat squad intent on imposing its physical will.

Simmons, Embiid and Co. passed their first playoff test with flying colors.

Simmons damn near averaged a triple-double (18.2 points, 10.6 rebounds and 9.0 assists) while becoming the first rookie since Magic Johnson to record a triple-double in a playoff game. Embiid was rusty offensively upon his return from an orbital fracture, but he imposed his will on defense to the tune of 10.3 rebounds and 3.0 blocks. The 76ers allowed a paltry 94.3 points per 100 possessions with their star big man on the court, which would have been the best regular-season defensive rating by a mile.

Simmons and Embiid weren’t the only young 76ers to impress against Miami. Dario Saric struggled with his shooting efficiency (39.2 percent), but he chipped in a well-rounded 16.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.4 triples per game. Robert Covington was likewise streaky on offense (38.1 percent shooting), but his smothering defense helped stifle Goran Dragic and Miami’s plethora of wings. Backup point guard T.J. McConnell played critical minutes in Game 5 when Simmons got into foul trouble in the third quarter.

The 76ers ran into plenty of adversity throughout Round 1, from being without Embiid for the first two games to their horrendous 27-turnover outing in Game 4. Rather than shrink under the pressure of the postseason spotlight, their young players answered the bell and sent a message to the rest of the Eastern Conference.

Next: 4. The Heat have a Hassan Whiteside-sized headache