76ers celebrate big comeback
Miami Heat lose superstar and control
April 18, 2024, 6:48 a.m
In a very exciting game at the end, the Philadelphia 76ers win and, thanks to Joel Embiid, make their playoff participation perfect – the New York Knicks are waiting there. The defeated Miami Heat still have a chance, but are worried about their key player.
The Philadelphia 76ers have secured the penultimate playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and will face the New York Knicks around German Isaiah Hartenstein in the first round. In a game that was close until the last second, the 76ers won 105:104 against last year’s finalists, the Miami Heat. Miami has another chance to qualify for the playoffs on Friday when they face the Chicago Bulls. However, the team will probably have to do without its star Jimmy Butler, who injured his knee. For the Atlanta Hawks, the season is over after the 116:131 win against the Bulls.
Miami had built a clear lead at halftime in Philadelphia, but completely lost control of the game in the final quarter. Joel Embiid made it 96:96 with a very strong pass and then enabled his teammate Kelly Oubre Jr. to make a layup plus a free throw. The 76ers never gave up their lead with 36 seconds left. Embiid finished the game with 23 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists.
In the end, Tyler Herro’s 25 points for the Miami Heat were not enough for seventh place in the playoff seeding list. It was initially unclear on Wednesday whether Butler would be able to play against the Bulls on Friday. He said he needed an MRI and the knee didn’t feel good. The winner of the game will face the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs. The Heat will then face a team that easily beats the Hawks. Chicago pulled ahead by more than 15 points in the first quarter. Coby White scored 42 points, more than ever before in his career. Nikola Vucevic recorded 24 points and 12 rebounds.