76ers Beat Heat, Increasing Odds of Celtics Facing Miami in 1st-Round

Bobby Krivitsky | Apr 17, 2024

Apr 17, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) hugs Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler. / Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The Philadelphia 76ers punched their ticket to the playoffs on Wednesday night, knocking off the Miami Heat at Wells Fargo Center.

Joel Embiid registered a team-best 23 points and game-high 15 rebounds in the hosts' 105-104 win. Tyrese Maxey chipped in 19 points and six assists, and Nicolas Batum came off the bench to deliver 20 points, burying 6/10 threes.

As if being down to their last chance to climb out of the play-in tournament wasn't concerning enough, Jimmy Butler hurt himself after an awkward fall following a layup attempt.

The star forward's night ended when he subbed out with 19 seconds left and Miami trailing 101-98.

The 76ers will now face the New York Knicks in the first round of the playoffs. As for the Heat, they'll host the winner of the battle between the nine and ten seeds in the Eastern Conference, the Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks. That matchup will take place on Friday.

The victor will play the Boston Celtics in an opening-round series that starts on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 EST at TD Garden. 

Here's a look at the rest of Boston's first-round playoff schedule.

Further Reading

Brad Stevens Addresses Potential Extension with Derrick White

Brad Stevens Notes Crucial Element of Celtics' Title Pursuit: 'Bigger Than Themselves'

After Career Night, Reflective Payton Pritchard Discusses NBA Journey and His Ultimate Pursuit

'Nip That in the Bud': Celtics Address End-of-Season Struggles

Jrue Holiday on Celtics Extension: 'Try to Get More Banners, Get More Rings'

Aiming to Maximize Championship Window, Celtics Extend Jrue Holiday

Jaylen Brown Shares What Latest Milestone Means to Him

Celtics Embracing Challenge to Go Beyond Most Talented

Jayson Tatum Opens Up About Sacrificing in Celtics' Title Pursuit: 'It's a Process'