CNN
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The Philadelphia 76ers needed to overcome some early boos from their very own followers as they edged previous the Miami Warmth, 105-104, to clinch the No. 7 seed within the Jap Convention and guide a playoff showdown with the New York Knicks.
Some sloppy play early on helped the Warmth open up a 14-point lead close to the top of the primary half of the Play-In Event sport, with the house followers making their displeasure generally known as the 76ers continued to surrender low-cost turnovers.
Nevertheless, after struggling for 3 quarters, Joel Embiid got here up massive down the stretch, scoring 11 of his 23 complete factors within the fourth and serving to the Sixers safe the comeback.
Embiid, the reigning league MVP, additionally added 15 rebounds and 5 assists, however the Sixers have been stored within the sport by veteran Frenchman Nicolas Batum, who had 20 factors – together with six three pointers – off the bench.
“It means so much,” Embiid stated of reaching the playoffs, per ESPN. “Being down so much … we caught collectively. It reveals you that I don’t play my finest, I don’t get to my spots the entire sport till the fourth quarter and we nonetheless discovered a approach to win.
“They prefer to make it nasty and we will do it, too, and we made it nasty, too.”
The 76ers have been flying excessive within the Jap Convention till Embiid underwent knee surgical procedure again in February, with the crew’s file falling off a cliff within the massive man’s absence.
He returned to the court docket at first of April after eight weeks out and the 76ers now boast a 32-8 file this season with Embiid on the ground.
Nevertheless, after one other unconvincing postseason efficiency, questions will possible proceed to be requested about Philly’s championship aspirations with Embiid beforehand by no means making it previous the convention semifinals.
On prime of the Play-In defeat, the Miami Warmth may now be with out talisman Jimmy Butler who suffered an obvious knee damage throughout Wednesday’s contest.
Butler stayed down clutching his knee after a tough touchdown on the finish of the primary quarter, with Kelly Oubre Jr. additionally falling on prime of him. He managed to complete the rest of the sport however was clearly hampered as he scored 19 factors on simply 27.8% taking pictures.
“I fell, he landed and my knee simply didn’t do properly, I assume,” Butler stated, per ESPN. “I don’t know. It’s not a superb feeling, I can inform you that.
“It felt like I couldn’t do an excessive amount of, which sucks with the timing of the sport and every thing. I hope that I’m nice. I hope that I get up tomorrow and may nonetheless stick-and-move. Proper now, I can’t say that’s the case.”
Butler stated he’ll bear an MRI on Thursday, however stories from the Athletic and ESPN say the Warmth are fearful he has an MCL damage.
It’s now déjà vu for the Warmth who, as they did final season, discover themselves in an elimination Play-In sport to attempt to safe the No. 8 seed.
The Warmth will face the Chicago Bulls, who beat the Atlanta Hawks in Wednesday’s different play-in sport, for an opportunity to face the general No. 1 seeded Boston Celtics within the playoffs.