In a game marked by postseason tribulations, Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers confronted the possibility of yet another disappointment during Wednesday night’s Eastern Conference play-in tournament clash against the Miami Heat.
However, a shift occurred. Nicolas Batum, with an impressive display, sank six 3-pointers, five of which came in the second half, amassing 20 points. Despite struggling earlier, Embiid rallied, contributing 11 of his 23 points in the final quarter. This resurgence propelled the Sixers to overcome a double-digit halftime deficit, securing a narrow 105-104 victory.
The win ensured Philadelphia claimed the seventh seed, setting up a matchup with the New York Knicks on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Heat would contend with the Chicago Bulls on Friday for the eighth seed, aiming for a first-round clash with the East-leading Boston Celtics.
The game epitomized gritty playoff basketball, characterized by relentless competition and high stakes. With a challenging series against the Knicks ahead, the Sixers remain buoyed by their recent winning streak and are prepared for the physicality and intensity of postseason basketball.
Amid a raucous atmosphere at a packed United Center on Wednesday night, Coby White electrified the crowd with a deep 3-pointer, extending the Chicago Bulls’ lead to 21 points in the fourth quarter.
The arena reverberated with chants of “CO-BY! CO-BY! CO-BY!” as White notched a career-high 42 points, the second-highest tally in a play-in game, trailing only Jayson Tatum’s 50-point performance in 2021. It marked White’s inaugural 40-point game, a milestone he proudly acknowledged despite the game not officially counting towards his regular-season or playoff statistics.
White’s remarkable display propelled the Bulls to a commanding 131-116 victory over the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament. While the game’s outcome won’t impact White’s career stats, it underscored his impact and resilience on the court.
The win sets up a rematch for the Bulls against the Miami Heat on Friday night, vying for the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs and a chance to face the Boston Celtics in the first round. Miami suffered a narrow 105-104 defeat to the Philadelphia 76ers in the other play-in game on Wednesday.
Recalling their previous encounter with the Heat in the 2023 play-in game, Bulls guard DeMar DeRozan expressed determination to avert a repeat of the disappointing loss. In that game, Chicago squandered a late lead, succumbing to a 15-1 run by Miami.
However, both teams face significant injury concerns heading into Friday’s matchup. Miami’s star player, Jimmy Butler, will undergo an MRI on Thursday for a suspected MCL injury sustained during Wednesday’s game. Meanwhile, Bulls guard Alex Caruso’s availability is in doubt due to a “significant” left ankle sprain suffered during the same game, exacerbated by a pre-existing left foot issue.
