Nick Nurse Speaks on Sixers' Mindset Ahead of Play-In Matchup vs. Heat

Heading into the final day of the regular season, the Philadelphia 76ers were one of many teams still awaiting their playoff fate. One thing they could control was their matchup with the Brooklyn Nets. Led by Tyrese Maxey, the Sixers managed to end the year on an eight-game winning streak, taking down Brooklyn 107-86.

Following their victory, the Sixers found out they would finish the year in seventh place in the Eastern Conference. This means they have to battle through the play-in tournament to secure a playoff spot. Philly is slated to take on the Miami Heat Wednesday night, with the winner getting the No. 7 seed.

After the win against Brooklyn, Sixers coach Nick Nurse was asked about the team’s mindset heading into the play-in. He understands they have a tough matchup ahead, and wants to keep the focus on playing how they’ve been to close the year.

“Well, obviously we’ve had some great battles with them,” Nurse said. “Always expect that versus them. Mindset is we want to keep playing well and got to put everything we can into it. It’s kind of the way we’ve been treating the last month of the year. We’ve been digging in and playing our guys as whatever we have to and doing whatever we got to do to win. We’ve got a good mindset I think and just take that into Wednesday.”

In the regular season, the Sixers split the season series with the Heat 2-2. They last played at the beginning of April, with Embiid and company winning 109-105 on the road. Coming away victorious on Wednesday would set the Sixers up with a first-round matchup against the New York Knicks.