What the Sixers win over the Miami Heat means for their chances of avoiding the Play-In Tournament

On Tuesday night, Joel Embiid returned and helped the Sixers pick up a win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. On Thursday night, Joel Embiid was in the lineup again, and the Sixers picked up their biggest win of the season in Miami against the Heat by a final score of 109-105. 

Tyrese Maxey: 37 points | 15-26 FG | 5-14 3PT | 11 assists | 9 rebounds 

Joel Embiid: 29 points | 11-25 FG | 3-6 3PT | 4 rebounds | 33 minutes 

The Philadelphia 76ers find themselves squarely in the thick of the Play-In Tournament discussion. While the Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks have already clinched a berth in the play-in, as seeds 9 and 10, it remains to be seen who will be in the play-in slotted in the 7 and 8 spot. 

The Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, and Philadelphia 76ers are all within just 1 game in the Eastern Conference Standings. 2 of these 3 teams will be heading for the Play-In Tournament, while the other will be safely in the playoffs as the 6th seed. While mathematically, the Sixers' win over the Heat was not a “must-win,” it sure felt like one. This back-and-forth game of runs saw the Sixers close the game out on a 15-3 run to secure the narrow victory. Now with just 5 games remaining on their regular season schedule, the Sixers will look to make one final push and avoid the Play-In Tournament. 

Remaining Schedule 

April 6th at Memphis Grizzlies 

April 7th at San Antonio Spurs 

April 9th vs Detroit Pistons

April 12th vs Orlando Magic 

April 14th vs Brooklyn Nets

Another noteworthy matchup

The Miami Heat (42-34) and the Indiana Pacers (43-34) will play at Indiana on Sunday, April 7th. The outcome of this game could certainly go a long way in deciding the fate of the 3 teams vying for that 6th seed in the Eastern Conference.