76ers beat Heat in play-in to earn No. 7 seed

Joel Embiid confirmed why Philadelphia at all times has a shot at a protracted postseason run so long as he is within the lineup.

Embiid had 23 factors, 15 rebounds and one enormous help to Kelly Oubre Jr. on a go-ahead three-point play that led the 76ers to a 105-104 win over the Miami Warmth within the Japanese Convention play-in event on Wednesday evening.

The 76ers earned the No. 7 seed and superior to play the second-seeded New York Knicks within the opening spherical of the Japanese Convention playoffs. Sport 1 is Saturday at Madison Sq. Backyard.

The Warmth — who went from the play-in tourney to the NBA Finals a yr in the past — play the winner of the evening’s late play-in sport between Chicago and Atlanta on Friday evening, with the winner getting the No. 8 seed.

Embiid exploded out of a quiet sport late within the fourth and carried the Sixers again from 14 down within the second half. Embiid, who missed 43 video games this season, was a non-factor as Nicolas Batum and Buddy Hield improbably sparked the 76ers within the second half. Batum had 20 factors.

However when the Sixers wanted massive buckets, who else was there however their massive man?

Embiid buried a go-ahead 3-pointer from the highest of the arc with 2;33 left within the sport for a 93-91 lead that despatched a crowd — that had about booed the Sixers out of the constructing on the half — right into a frenzy. After the Sixers blew that lead, Embiid once more was clutch with a three-point play for a 96-94 lead.

With the sport tied 96-all, Miami’s Tyler Herro was whistled for a backcourt violation. Embiid slipped the ball to Oubre beneath the basket for the bucket, the free throw and a 99-96 lead they might not surrender.

The 76ers performed this one prefer it was Sport 7 — and with good purpose. They like their probabilities in opposition to the upstart Knicks slightly than enjoying for the No. 8 seed a date with the NBA’s greatest, the Boston Celtics.

That is what Miami faces if it will possibly get out of Friday’s sport and make the playoffs beneath this format for the second straight season.

Herro — who hit a 3 on the horn to make it the ultimate rating — completed with 25 factors and Jimmy Butler had 19.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba