In a thrilling play-in game, the Philadelphia 76ers overcame a 14-point deficit to secure a 105-104 victory against the Miami Heat, clinching the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. The win sets up a series against the No. 2 seed New York Knicks starting Saturday in New York.
Joel Embiid led the charge for the Sixers with 23 points, 15 rebounds, and six assists, but it was Nico Batum who stole the show. Batum had a standout performance, scoring 20 points, a significant jump from his season average of 5.3 points. The Frenchman went 7-12 in field goals and 6-10 in three-pointers.
Batum’s impact was felt beyond scoring, as he also made a crucial block on a Tyler Herro three-point attempt with 26 seconds left, ultimately sealing the victory for Philadelphia.
Both teams struggled in the first quarter
The game didn’t start on a high note for either team, with both struggling to find their rhythm early on. However, Embiid quickly asserted himself, drawing two quick fouls on Bam Adebayo and making a strong impact in the first quarter.
Despite the Sixers’ early struggles, they managed to stay competitive, thanks in part to Kyle Lowry and Paul Reed’s solid play. The team faced challenges against Miami’s defense, with shooters often hesitant to take open shots, allowing Miami to maintain a lead at halftime.
The Sixers turned the tide in the third
The third quarter saw a shift in momentum, as the Sixers went on a 12-2 run to close the gap. Embiid’s three-pointer tied the game, and another Batum three-pointer gave the Sixers their first lead since the first quarter.
With the game on the line in the final minutes, Embiid delivered clutch baskets, including a three-pointer and an and-1 play, to secure the win for Philadelphia.
With the victory, the Sixers advance to face the Knicks in the first round of the playoffs, with Game 1 set to take place Saturday night.
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