76ers get big news ahead of play-in matchup as Heat woes pile up

The playoff fate of the Philadelphia 76ers this season could be decided tonight as they are slated to take on the eight-ranked Miami Heat in a one-off battle to determine the rightful challengers to the second-seeded New York Knicks in the postseason.

Philly is expected to have most of its main weapons ready for tonight’s contest — an uncharacteristic, yet much-needed development for a team plagued by injuries all year long. However, the same cannot be said of Miami, whose injury woes continue to pile up ahead of the crucial matinee.

76ers get lucky ahead of play-in game vs Heat

According to the latest injury report from the Heat’s side, starting guard Terry Rozier and key win Josh Richardson won’t be in uniform as they visit Philadelphia for the play-in tournament game. That is a significant loss for Miami, which already tends to struggle offensively as they tout the 21st-ranked offense in the association.

Rozier, who averages 16.4 markers a game, is the Heat’s fourth-leading scorer while Richardon, who norms 10 per outing, is their resident sixth man. Philly would’ve had its hands full with those two, as De’Anthony Melton and Robert Covington, their two best perimeter defenders, have already been ruled out for tonight’s game.

Still, the 76ers cannot afford to rest on their laurels. Having been mired in season-long battle with injuries themselves, Erik Spoelstra and co. are used to playing shorthanded, and the Heat remain lethal with their Big 3 of Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Tyler Herro expected to shoulder the scoring load.

Duncan Robinson and Cody Martin, who both average double-digits in scoring, as well as Nikola Jovic, their resident sharpshooter who’s been in the starting unit as of late, also cannot be overlooked.

The Philadelphia 76ers should have the edge offensively over the Miami Heat, but hopefully, their defense also matches up with the swarming, heady defense of last season’s Eastern Conference champions.