Paul George struggles in his return as Sixers lose to the Miami Heat, 108-101

The 76ers and Miami Heat game was ugly by church-league standards.

There were plenty of air balls, missed layups, turnovers, and, at times, subpar effort. But in the end, the Heat exited the Wells Fargo Center with a 108-101 victory.

The loss dropped the Sixers to 20-30. It was their third loss in four games after previously winning four straight. Meanwhile, the Heat improved to 25-24 on a night their suspended and disgruntled star forward Jimmy Butler was traded to the Golden State Warriors.

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The Sixers shot 38.5% — including making just 12 of 40 three-pointers. They were also outrebounded, 54-39. But the Heat committed 22 turnovers compared to four by the Sixers, who were without Joel Embiid.

“We missed some good looks,” Tyrese Maxey said. “I think for me, honestly, I was a little tired. I’m not going to lie. But that’s how it goes. We still got looks to win the game. You know what I mean? We were still in the game. And that’s all you can ask for.”

They were able to stay competitive thanks to Maxey.

The point guard finished with game highs of 31 points and four steals to go with five assists. He did, however, only make 11 of 28 shots. None of those shots were bigger than his three-pointer that pulled the Sixers within three points, 104-101, with 28.1 seconds left after trailing by as many as 12 points.

Unfortunately for the Sixers, Tyler Herro, who finished with 30 points, scored a layup on the ensuing possession. After Kelly Oubre Jr. missed a three-pointer, the Heat regained possession of the ball and Pelle Larrson hit pair of foul shots with 9.1 seconds remaining to clinch the victory.

While Maxey was the offensive spark, Paul George struggled offensively in his first game back after spraining a ligament in his left pinky against the Chicago Bulls on Jan. 25.

George finished with nine points on 3-for-11 shooting. He went 3-for-6 on three-pointers, but 0-for-5 on two-point attempts.

“I’m nowhere close to getting the rhythm back,” George said. “I don’t think I’m far off. It was good to get back out there and try to trust the brace on the pinkie and go from there.”

The 6-foot-8 forward appeared rusty, settling for and missing jumpers. He missed a 24-foot corner three-pointer 12 seconds into the contest. Then he later missed a 27-foot three-pointer at the 10 minute 55 second mark of the quarter.

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George didn’t attempt another shot until 4:03 left in the first. This time, he missed an 18-foot jumper.

The nine-time All-Star looked out of rhythm before being subbed out with 2:56 left in the quarter.

George subbed back into the game with 7:33 before intermission. On his shot attempt close to a minute later, he drained a three-pointer. George also hit his next shot attempt — another three-pointer — to put the Sixers up, 50-47 with 4:42 before intermission.

George later missed a layup in the final minute of the half. Thinking he was fouled, the 34-year-old voiced his displeasure over a no-call at the referee and received a technical foul.

George’s poor-shooting blues continued in the third quarter while missing his two attempts, a jumper and layup. The 34-year-old made his third baskets — a three-pointer — on his first of two shot attempts in the fourth quarter.

The Sixers will travel to Detroit to face the Pistons on Friday. The Sixers and Pistons (25-26) split this season’s previous two meetings.