The 76ers defeated the Heat in the play-in game which allowed them to secure the No. 7 seed.

Joel Embiid proved his worth in leading the Philadelphia 76ers to a 105-104 win over the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament. Embiid contributed 23 points, 15 rebounds, and a crucial assist to Kelly Oubre Jr. for a go-ahead three-point play. The win secured the 76ers' No. 7 seed and a chance to face the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference playoffs, with Game 1 set to take place on Saturday at Madison Square Garden.

The Heat, who made it to the NBA Finals last year, will play the winner of the late play-in game between Chicago and Atlanta on Friday night for the No. 8 seed.

Embiid, who missed 43 games this season, had a quiet game until he exploded in the fourth quarter, carrying the Sixers back from a 14-point deficit. Nicolas Batum and Buddy Hield sparked the 76ers in the second half, with Batum contributing 20 points.

When the Sixers needed big buckets, Embiid delivered. He buried a go-ahead 3-pointer with 2:33 left in the game for a 93-91 lead, and was clutch again with a three-point play for a 96-94 lead. With the game tied at 96-all, Embiid assisted Oubre under the basket for the bucket, the free throw, and a 99-96 lead that the 76ers wouldn't relinquish.

The 76ers played with intensity, knowing that a win would give them a better chance against the Knicks than playing for the No. 8 seed and facing the Boston Celtics, the NBA's best. Miami faces the Celtics if they can make the playoffs under this format for the second straight season.

Tyler Herro contributed 25 points for the Heat, while Jimmy Butler had 19. Herro hit a 3 at the horn to bring the final score to 105-104.