Two of the NBA's more battle-tested playoff teams meet in the Eastern Conference's first Play-In game, with the 76ers hosting the Heat on Wednesday night.
Health is paramount for Philadelphia (47-35). Reigning MVP Joel Embiid played in just 39 games in the regular season, missing more than two months down the stretch with a left knee injury. But Embiid is back and, more importantly, looks like himself: In five games since returning, he averaged 30.4 points.
Now the 76ers, after holding serve without Embiid, can pair their bona fide superstar with their budding star, Tyrese Maxey. In his fourth NBA season, Maxey averaged a career-best 25.9 points per game, the 11th-highest mark in the NBA among qualified players.
While Philadelphia is undeniably potent, so is the opposition: The Miami Heat (46-36) seem to have a knack for playing their best basketball when it matters most, as evidenced by last year's thrilling run to the NBA Finals as a No. 8 seed.
Jimmy Butler (20.8 points), Bam Adebayo (19.3 points and 10.4 rebounds), and a now-healthy Tyler Herro (20.8 points) make for a tantalizing top-three. Will it be enough for the Heat to recapture the magic from last year's run?
The two teams split their four matchups in the regular season. Embiid, though, played in just one of those games: A 109-105 Philadelphia victory in Miami on April 4.
The winner will advance to the NBA Playoffs as the No. 7 seed, where a matchup with the No. 2 seed, the New York Knicks, awaits.
Here is everything that you need to know about 76ers vs. Heat.
What time is 76ers vs. Heat?
- Date: Wednesday, April 17
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- Location: Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
76ers vs. Heat will tip off around 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 17. The game will be played at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
What channel is 76ers vs. Heat on?
- TV channel: ESPN
- Live stream: Sling
76ers vs. Heat will air nationally on ESPN.
Viewers can also stream the game on Sling. Sling is the home for the avid sports fans, offering a range of sports channels so you can always cheer for your favorite teams with channels like ESPN, TBS, TNT, NFL Network, and more.
If 76ers vs. Heat is not available to watch live in your location or if you're traveling abroad, you can use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). VPNs provide a secure and private online connection, allowing you to bypass geographical restrictions to access your favorite streaming services from any device in the world.
76ers vs. Heat tickets
- Tickets: StubHub
Tickets for the 2024 Play-In games, including 76ers vs. Heat, are available on StubHub. For full rundowns on seats and prices, use the link below.
NBA Play-In Tournament schedule, results
Tuesday, April 16
| Game | Matchup | Time (ET) | TV channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Lakers at Pelicans | 7:30 p.m. | TNT |
| Game 2 | Warriors at Kings | 10 p.m. | TNT |
Wednesday, April 17
| Game | Matchup | Time (ET) | TV channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 3 | Heat at 76ers | 7 p.m. | ESPN |
| Game 4 | Hawks at Bulls | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN |
Friday, April 19
| Game | Matchup | Time (ET) | TV channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 5 | Loser of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 4 | TBD | ESPN |
| Game 6 | Loser of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2 | TBD | TNT |
NBA playoff matchups 2024
Eastern Conference
(1) Celtics vs. (8) Play-In Winner
(2) Knicks vs. (7) Play-In Winner
(3) Bucks vs. (6) Pacers
(4) Cavaliers vs. (5) Magic
Western Conference
(1) Thunder vs. (8) Play-In Winner
(2) Nuggets vs. (7) Play-In Winner
(3) Timberwolves vs. (6) Suns
(4) Clippers vs. (5) Mavericks
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