The Miami Heat faced off against the Philadelphia 76ers in a thrilling match that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the very last second. The game was a back-and-forth battle, with both teams trading baskets and playing tough defense throughout. The Heat came out strong in the first half, taking an early lead behind the hot shooting of their star players. However, the 76ers fought back in the second half, led by their own talented roster of players.
The mission is simple. Win, advance, and earn a first-round playoff matchup with the No. 2 New York Knicks (50-32).
“Our goal was to be stepping in the right direction come playoff time, and I think we’re doing that,” All-Star Tyrese Maxey said following the team’s regular season finale Sunday. “I’m proud of my guys.”
Stepping in the right direction indeed: The Sixers finished the regular season on an eight-game winning streak.
“We’re confident,” Tobias Harris said Sunday. “We know what’s at stake.”
The Sixers were 31-8 when Embiid was in the lineup in the regular season. In the 39 regular season games Embiid played, he averaged a career-high 34.7 points and assists at 5.6.
In other injury news, the Sixers listed forward K.J. Martin as questionable with a left great toe contusion. Guard De'Anthony Melton and forward Robert Covington have both been ruled out.
The Heat will be without guards Terry Rozier and Josh Richardson.
The Heat led at half 51-39. That lead shrunk to five points after three quarters. Even then the script was a surprise as Butler and Tyler Herro were a combined 8-for-33 shooting. You wondered how the Heat could hold on. Answer: They couldn’t.
Philly took the lead on a Nicolas Batum 3-pointer at 79-76. Batum is another danger of a one-game series like this. He averaged 5.5 points in the regular season. He had 20 off the bench in this one, including 6 of 10 on 3-pointers.
Along with having home-court advantage, the Sixers also have momentum on their side. They finished the regular season on a strong note, winning each of their last eight games. Now, Embiid and company will look to continue trending in the right direction as they prepare for a familiar foe in Jimmy Butler and the Heat.
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