East Notes: Heat, Terry Rozier, Celtics, Jaylen Brown, Sixers

Heat

The Heat have had a nice trip out West, winning two games in three nights over the Kings on Monday and the Trail Blazers on Tuesday.

Overall, Miami has won five straight.

On Tuesday, they got three players back from injury, including star wing Jimmy Butler (22 points) and point guard Terry Rozier (19). It was Rozier’s first game since Feb. 11.

“He has an ability to break the defense down, or at least get a defense to overreact,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters. “When you have multiple guys who are weapons like that, it’s good for your offense. I also really respect how much time he put into this to be able to get back and fast-track this.”

Added Rozier: “Just really no vacation for the (All-Star) break, trying to get back, putting in 2- or 3-a-days at a time. But I feel good. Credit to the medical staff, they did a great job of making sure I’m back and making sure I’m really fully healthy, making sure we didn’t rush nothing. I’m happy to be back.”

• Guard Tyler Herro missed his second straight game with a knee injury. Center Thomas Bryant also remains out to serve a three-game suspension.

Celtics

Guard/forward Jaylen Brown scored 31 points and the Celtics topped the 76ers to extend their win streak to nine on Tuesday.

For the Celtics, it’s been about doing whatever it takes, even if it’s not always a thing of basketball beauty.

“There’s a multitude of ways you can win throughout the course of a game,” Brown said. “We got to the free-throw line, we got downhill, made some points in the paint that helped us. …They got like 20 more shots than us, but if you make free throws and you’re aggressive, it can balance out.”

• Coach Joe Mazzulla seconded that notion. “We were able to win a different way,” he said. “We’ve never said we have to win (shooting 3s). We always take what the defense gives us and we’re one of the best teams doing that. And that’s kind of our offensive philosophy — take the best shot and find the best shot.”

76ers

• The Sixers are just 4-8 since losing All-Star center and reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid. They have lost four of five overall.
• In case you missed it, Embiid could return in late March, as our Ashish Mathur relayed here. He underwent surgery on his left knee to address a meniscus injury. Before that, he was having another monster season, averaging 35.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.8 blocks and shooting 53.3% from the field.
• The Sixers are said to be favorites to sign veteran free agent big man Mike Muscala, who has agreed to a contract buyout with the Pistons.