NBA

76ers in the play-offs after victory against Miami Heat

Joel Embiid(Bild: 2024 Getty Images)

The Philadelphia 76ers have secured the penultimate play-off spot in the Eastern Conference of the North American professional basketball league NBA. In a game that went down to the wire, the 76ers won 105-104 against last year's finalists Miami Heat on Wednesday evening (local time). Miami has one more chance to make the play-offs in the play-in tournament on Friday and will then face the Chicago Bulls.

However, the team will probably have to do without its star Jimmy Butler, who injured his knee. The Atlanta Hawks' season is over after their 116-131 loss to the Bulls. Meanwhile, the 76ers will face the New York Knicks in the first play-off round.

Double-double from Embiid
Miami had built up a double-digit lead at half-time in Philadelphia, but then completely lost control of the game in the final quarter. Joel Embiid made a strong pass to give his team-mate Kelly Oubre Jr. a basket and a free throw with the score at 96:96. The 76ers did not relinquish this lead with 36 seconds remaining. Embiid finished the game with 23 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists.

Butler injured
Tyler Herro's 25 points for the Miami Heat were not enough in the end. It was initially unclear whether Butler would be able to play against the Bulls on Friday. He said he needed an MRI and that his 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 now face a team that had no trouble beating the Hawks. Chicago pulled away by more than 15 points in the first quarter. Coby White scored 42 points, more than ever before in his career.