The 76ers needed all of their unexpected maneuvers to have a shot of winning their first play-in game in franchise history.
Nicolas Batum made game-changing three-pointers. Buddy Hield was in the mix. Even the promise of free chicken nuggets was enough to spark an offense and drown out the booing from Philadelphia fans who poured into the arena.
However, in crunch time, the game came down to Joel Embiid. Always Joel Embiid.
With the NBA MVP on the court, the 76ers demonstrated that as long as he is in the lineup, they have a chance to go deep into the playoffs.
Embiid had 23 points, 15 rebounds, and one big assist to Kelly Oubre Jr. on a go-ahead three-point shot as the 76ers defeated the Miami Heat 105-104 in the Eastern Conference play-in round on Wednesday night.
“Lots of booing,” Embiid said, smiling. “We stuck together. It just shows you that I don’t play my best, I don’t get to my spots the whole game until the fourth quarter, and we still find a way to win.”
The 76ers were seeded seventh and will face the second-seeded New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference playoffs’ first round. Game 1 is scheduled for Saturday at Madison Square Garden.
The Heat, who advanced from the play-in round to the NBA Finals a year ago, will visit Chicago on Friday night, with the winner receiving the No. 8 seed.
Embiid broke out of a quiet game late in the fourth quarter and led the Sixers back from 14 down in the second half. Embiid, who missed 43 games this season and finished with a surgically repaired left knee, was a non-factor as Batum and Hield energized the 76ers in the second half. Batum scored 20 points.
“We won the game because of them,” Embiid said. “Those guys stepped up and we won the game.”
With the game tied at 96-all, Miami’s Tyler Herro was called for a backcourt violation. Embiid passed the ball to Oubre under the hoop for the bucket, the free throw, and a 99-96 advantage that they would not relinquish.
The 76ers played like it was Game 7, and for good cause. They prefer their chances against the rising Knicks to competing for the eighth spot and a matchup with the NBA’s finest, the Boston Celtics.
That is what Miami will confront if it can win Friday’s game and advance to the playoffs for the second straight season.
Herro finished with 25 points, including a three-pointer in the last second before the 76ers lost possession as time expired. Jimmy Butler, who may have been hindered by a first-half knee injury, finished with 19.
“We will do this the hard way,” coach Erik Spoelstra said. “That has to be the path right now. We’re going to rest up, treat up, rally around each other up, get ready for Friday. Again, embrace these competitive games. It will be competitive in front of our home fans.”
Butler had four thefts in the first half and made two free throws after slipping and appearing to hurt his right knee, which may explain why he only scored two points in the fourth quarter. Butler stated that he would need an MRI on Thursday.
“It felt like I couldn’t do too much, which sucks with the timing of the game and everything,” Butler said. “I hope that I’m fine. I hope that I wake up tomorrow and can still stick-and-move. Right now, I can’t stay that’s the case.”
