76ers vs. Heat score: Joel Embiid, Nic Batum lead comeback win for No. 7 seed, secure date vs. Knicks
The Philadelphia 76ers are moving on to face the New York Knicks in the 2024 NBA playoffs. The 76ers used a big second half for a 105-104 comeback win against the Miami Heat on Wednesday night in the Play-In Tournament. The win gave Philly the East’s No. 7 seed, and they’ll face the Knicks in the first round starting on Saturday. The Heat, meanwhile, will face either the Chicago Bulls or Atlanta Hawks for the No. 8 seed on Friday night.
The 76ers got 23 points from Joel Embiid, who did not look like his usual self for most of the game and ended 6 for 17 from the floor. Embiid hit a big 3-pointer late and also assisted Kelly Oubre Jr. on a layup that gave the Sixers the lead with 36 seconds left. The offensive star of the night for the 76ers was Nic Batum. The NBA veteran had 20 points off the bench, hitting six 3-pointers and sparking a second-half run.
The 76ers were down by 12 points at halftime, but they hit nine 3-pointers in the final 24 minutes and cut down the turnovers to secure their spot in the playoff bracket.
The Heat got 25 points from Tyler Herro, who took a game-high 27 shots. Jimmy Butler added 19 points, five assists and five steals, but looked hobbled throughout the game after injuring his knee late in the first quarter.
The Heat also lost the No. 7/8 Play-In Tournament game last season before winning the No. 8 seed and going on a run to the Eastern Conference Finals. If the Heat claim the No. 8 seed again this year, they’ll face the 64-win Celtics in the first round.