Preview, Predictions, TV and Injury Report for Philadelphia 76ers v Miami Heat NBA Play-In 2024 Game

The 2023/24 NBA regular season has concluded, and therefore the always interesting Play-In is about to begin, which in the Eastern Conference will feature the 7th-8th place match-up between Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat, two teams that were expected to finish higher in the standings, and therefore very tough rivals for any playoff series. As it could not be otherwise, Joel Embiid and Jimmy Butler will be the stars of the game.

The Heat will serve as visitors with the following scenario: if they win the game, they will qualify for the playoffs and play the first round against the New York Knicks, 2nd in the East. The Florida franchise finished the regular season with a 46-36 record. Last year they already had to enter the playoffs as the second seed in the play-in, i.e. 8th, and made it to the NBA Finals. We will have to see what coach Erik Spoelstra has in store for this edition.

The Sixers, meanwhile, managed to win eight consecutive games since Embiid's return from injury, but it wasn't enough to get out of the playoff spots. Philadelphia starts as the favorite. The team that loses will have to play the winner of Atlanta Hawks vs Chicago Bulls for that final playoff spot, and would face Boston Celtics in the first round, a team that finished the regular season with the best record in the NBA, 64-18.

Expert predictions (Possible starting fives and result).

The main predictions for the play-in game place Philadelphia 76ers as the main favorite for the victory, due to the fact that they are the home team and because of their brutal winning streak since Embiid's return. However, everyone knows what the Miami Heat become when the playoffs come around. What is clear is that it will be an exciting duel.

In addition, the potential starting fives will be as follows:

Schedule and TV.

The game will be played on Wednesday at 7:00 PM ET, and will be broadcast on ESPN.