It was apparent from the start of the season that the Miami Heat would have a bunch of struggles, but watching the Philadelphia 76ers go from being the best team in the Eastern Conference to a Play-In berth was unexpected. The Heat dealt with multiple injuries involving Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, and Kevin Love which is why they could keep up in the East. They finished as the 8th seed by the end of the regular season.
One year ago today, the Miami Heat lost their play-in game against the Atlanta Hawks.
What would follow was one of the most remarkable postseason runs in NBA history.
No matter how down things may look, this team is BUILT to come back with resilience. Chin up, Heat fans 🔥 pic.twitter.com/SXlaEsicwP
— HeatMuse (@Heat_Muse) April 11, 2024
However, the Sixers were thriving while Joel Embiid led the team averaging numbers that made him an immediate favourite for the MVP title. However, Embiid slowly started missing games frequently and by the end of January 2024, the Sixers announced that he had a torn meniscus. He needed surgery to repair the damage but he returned fairly quickly to compete with the Sixers. Unfortunately, they have to face the dreaded Play-In Tournament to defend their current spot.
The Philadelphia 76ers have a better chance of winning against the Miami Heat
The Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers are gearing up to fight for the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. Acquiring the seventh seed would be ideal for either team as they would have to face the less experienced New York Knicks in the first round. However, the loser of this game would probably have to face the Boston Celtics in the first round, if they win the second leg of the Play-Ins. And Boston has a winning record against both teams.
Now, that Joel Embiid is back in the lineup, the Sixers are quite the scary matchup considering he’s averaged 34.7 points, 11 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game along with 1.7 blocks. Against the Heat, Embiid has put up 29 points while producing lesser numbers defensively. He would be the key player from the Sixers’ squad while Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo are the star players predicted to lead the Heat.
Tyrese Maxey said playing without Joel Embiid exposed him to various defensive coverages, which has made him more prepared for the playoffs.
“I think my mind has expanded…So, I’m prepared. I’m ready to play now. I just don’t like sitting around, waiting.” pic.twitter.com/QrYtplo6wX
— Sam DiGiovanni (@BySamDiGiovanni) April 16, 2024
However, the Heat have had tremendous amounts of inconsistencies in scoring. They’ve definitely upped their defense as they rank fifth in the league in defensive rating this year. Erik Spoelstra’s eyes are going to be focused on stopping Embiid. However, the Sixers have to be smart enough to utilize Tyrese Maxey and get him open looks while Embiid gets all the defensive attention. But based on the offensive talent they have, the Sixers can easily win this matchup.
The Miami Heat have a winning record against the Philadelphia 76ers in the playoffs
Interestingly, the Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers have already had a couple of battles in the playoffs. The Play-In Tournament is supposed to be treated like a playoff game, and in post-season scenarios, Miami has a lead over the Sixers. The Heat holds a 9-7 record against Philly in the post-season.
Miami last played against the Sixers in the playoffs during the 2022 NBA post-season. Butler was able to lead the Heat past the Sixers in six games. Embiid was injured during the series as he suffered from a broken orbital bone. But in this season, the Heat has not faced the Sixers with Embiid in the lineup. The Cameroonian-American athlete has been far more dominant than ever and recently won an MVP as well. They’ve gone 2-2 in the regular season series.
“He wants to win. You could tell the seriousness in everything that he’s doing”
Kelly Oubre Junior on Joel Embiid practicing yesterday. Nick Nurse says the MVP is expected to be ready to go tomorrow night against the Heat pic.twitter.com/JOhQKYXqXH
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) April 16, 2024
Both teams have barely played with fully healthy rosters the entire season. Moving into the playoffs scenario, it would be important for both teams to have their superstars ready to play. Here are the expected lineups for the Miami Heat vs Philadelphia 76ers Play-In Tournament game.
Philadelphia 76ers Expected Starting Lineup:
- Tyrese Maxey
- Kyle Lowry
- Kelly Oubre Jr.
- Tobias Harris
- Joel Embiid
Miami Heat Expected Starting Lineup:
- Tyler Herro
- Jimmy Butler
- Caleb Martin
- Nikola Jovic
- Bam Adebayo
The Heat recently announced that Terry Rozier wasn’t present for team practice on Tuesday due to a neck injury he sustained. Rozier has also been ruled out of the starting lineup which could cause serious damage on offense and defense. He has averaged 16.4 points while shooting 37.1% from deep on 5.7 attempts per game.
#MIAvsPHI INJURY UPDATE: Duncan Robinson (facet) is listed as probable to play in tomorrow night’s game vs the Sixers.
Terry Rozier (neck) has been ruled out.
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) April 16, 2024
The Sixers do not have as many consistent knockdown shooters as the Heat. At least ten of their main players (starting five and bench combined) averaged between 1.5 to 2 3-PM per game. And the team averaged a higher 37% from deep when compared to Philly’s 36.3% from beyond the arc. Miami generally relies on their perimeter shooting at times.
The Miami Heat vs Philadelphia 76ers Play-In Tournament game is set to take back at 7 PM ET. Fans can watch the game on ESPN and NBA TV. The Sixers will be hosting the Heat at the Wells Fargo Center.