76ers Host Heat In Play-In Matchup
The Philadelphia 76ers will host the Miami Heat in the Play-In Tournament on Wednesday at Wells Fargo.

The winner of this matchup between the 76ers and the Heat will enter the Eastern Conference playoffs as the seventh seed. The prize will be an even more difficult matchup, however, as a battle against the New York Knicks awaits. The head-to-head season series shows an even 2-2 split. The Heat won the first two games in December and February, while Philadelphia stormed back to win the last two in March and April. The previous meeting was on April 4, where the Sixers battled hard to get a 109-105 win thanks to 37 points from Tyrese Maxey and 29 from Joel Embiid. That April 4 win was the only game Embiid has played against the Heat this season, and the star big man is expected to be available for this contest with no minute restrictions.

When looking at the body of work throughout the season, the 76ers certainly arrive into this matchup in better form, as Philadelphia carries an eight-game winning streak into this contest. The return of Joel Embiid has boosted the 76ers, and the team has gone 7-0 since his return from a gruesome injury that kept him sidelined for two entire months. However, the Heat can’t be taken for granted, as they also head into this Play-In contest, having won three of their last four. The Sixers might have the advantage of playing at home, where they went 25-16 in the regular season, but the Heat are no slouch on the road, either. Miami posted one of the best road records in the Eastern Conference at 24-17.

The 76ers are listing Joel Embiid (knee) as questionable, but he’s expected to play. De’Anthony Melton (back), KJ Martin (toe) and Robert Covington (knee) are also questionable. Meanwhile, Miami is listing Kevin Love (arm), Terry Rozier (neck) and Duncan Robinson (back) as questionable, while Josh Richardson (shoulder) is out for the season.
Posted on: 4/16/2024 5:08 AM