The game between the Sixers and the Heat did not disappoint, even though it was a duel between seventh and eighth. They are two franchises with a lot of talent in their ranks and that, under normal conditions, would not be playing in the play-in. However, that’s the NBA, and Miami has not yet secured its ticket to the playoffs, after losing 105-104 in Philadelphia. Erik Spoelstra’s men will play their chances of playing in the playoffs against the Bulls, who beat the Hawks. For their part, Embiid’s Sixers are already classified for the first round, where they will face the Knicks.
Despite it being a play-in game, a huge showdown loomed at the Wells Fargo Center. The Sixers, who with Embiid are a team to take into account, as they have won every game since the Cameroonian’s return, received the Heat, current runners-up in the NBA. The duel did not disappoint and was decided in the final stages.
Miami began the match plugged in, aware of the significance of the crash. At halftime, the Florida team led 39-51, and the Sixers fans, upset with their team’s play, whistled at their fans on the way to the locker room.
However, in the second half, Nick Nurse’s men held off the Heat’s attacks and managed to win in the last minute, thanks to an immeasurable Nicolas Batum. The Frenchman blocked a three-pointer from Herro with 25 seconds remaining, when the Philadelphia team led by three. Additionally, the French player scored 20 points.
Embiid, who will play the Games with the United States, was also essential on his team, as he scored 23 points and 15 rebounds, and Maxey, with 19 points. The Heat featured Tyler Herro, with 25 points and nine assists, and Jimmy Butler, with 19. However, the former Sixers player was injured in the first quarter and is suffering from a medial collateral ligament injury, according to The Athletic journalist Shams Charania. Although he played 40 minutes, his presence in Friday’s match is unknown.
The Heat will face the Bulls, who beat the Hawks 131-116 with a stellar Coby White (42 points). The winner will enter the playoffs, where he expects neither more nor less than the Celtics. For its part, the loser will say goodbye to the league until October. Miami is the favorite, since last year it was in this situation before playing in the NBA Finals. However, Butler’s possible absence could be fundamental.
