In a way it is surprising to see the Philadelphia 76ers and the Miami Heat meet in a play-in<\/p>\n\n\n\n
game to see who continues on in the East. Both teams were considered top contenders to sit<\/p>\n\n\n\n
atop the Eastern Conference standings at the beginning of the season, but injuries derailed<\/p>\n\n\n\n
those plans. Nevertheless both teams were in the race for the top six until the very end. The<\/p>\n\n\n\n
winner of this contest will match-up against the New York Knicks. The loser on the other hand<\/p>\n\n\n\n
will take on the winner of the 9\/10 play-in of the Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks to see who<\/p>\n\n\n\n
faces the number 1 seeded Boston Celtics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Philadelphia 76ers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The 76ers are the hottest team heading into this play-in tournament and are looking to add on to<\/p>\n\n\n\n their eight game win streak which includes a victory over the Miami Heat. Philly is looking at<\/p>\n\n\n\n home court advantage for this one and they\u2019re 4-0 through their last four home games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Strength<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Obviously having Joel Embiid back in the mix after a long-term layoff is huge. He came back at<\/p>\n\n\n\n the start of April and is averaging 30.4 points since his return. A player who stepped up in<\/p>\n\n\n\n Embiid\u2019s absence and beyond is Tyrese Maxey. Maxey is averaging 25.9 points on the season<\/p>\n\n\n\n and has surpassed that mark in four of his last five games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Weakness<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s nothing new in saying the 76ers are top heavy once again with their game running through<\/p>\n\n\n\n Embiid. This game, and their playoff run, is literally weighing on Embiid\u2019s knee. But will it hold<\/p>\n\n\n\n up?<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Miami Heat<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Miami Heat were in a similar position just one year ago and made it all the way to the NBA<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finals. They\u2019re 3-1 through their last four and are riding a two-game win streak thanks to<\/p>\n\n\n\n back-to-back W\u2019s against the Toronto Raptors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Strength<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Playoff Jimmy Butler is an absolute weapon. He averaged 26.9 points last postseason and put<\/p>\n\n\n\n up an average of 27.4 back in 2022. Coming into this game, both Butler and Tyler Herro are<\/p>\n\n\n\n averaging 20.9 points while Bam Adebayo is putting up 19.3. You have to think that if the Heat<\/p>\n\n\n\n hadn\u2019t been without Herro and Butler for large portions of the season that they\u2019d be in the top<\/p>\n\n\n\n six.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Weakness<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately for Adebayo, he will once again get the short end of the stick and draw the Embiid assignment. We got a taste of this matchup in their lone head-to-head meeting two weeks ago. Finishing with a team worst -29 +\/- was Adebayo with Miami losing by just four points. Embiid on the other hand had 16 points, two assists and one turnover with the Defensive Play of the Year candidate as his primary defender.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Current Odds<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Spread Moneyline Total<\/p>\n\n\n\n Heat +4.5 -110 +175 O 207 -105<\/p>\n\n\n\n 76ers -4.5 -110 -205 U 207 -115<\/p>\n\n\n\n Season Series<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n December 25: 76ers 113 @ Heat <\/strong>119<\/p>\n\n\n\n