The Miami Heat are returning from a crucial 109-99 win against the New York Knicks, securing 6th seed in the Eastern Conference. It marked the team’s third straight win bringing their win-loss record to 42-33 while placing them in close competition with Indiana Pacers (43-34) for a playoff spot. In hopes of gaining a one-up, the team next heads to Kasey Centre on Thursday night.

The Heat will host the Philadelphia 76ers tonight in their second consecutive matchup against a team vying for an East playoff position. As the two teams deem the win essential, uncertainty looms over Heat’s star player Tyler Herro’s appearance against Joel Embiid-less 76ers.

Herro’s Foot Injury Sidelines Him

Tyler Herro has been out of action since February 23 after suffering a right foot tendonitis. His reported absence from the clash against the 76ers will extend his record to 20 games. Averaging 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists as a super sub coming right off the bench, the shooting guard has often made his presence known. Though the Heats have been 23-16 without the 24-year-old, his ability to create space and stop 3-pointers has proven rather well for the team.

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On the other hand, the 76ers are likely to miss out on quite a few of their key players. Joel Embiid (knee), Tyrese Maxey (hip), Mo Bamba (illness), and Tobias Harris (knee) have been listed as questionable for the game tonight as per the early reports.

The Heat will, thus, look to capitalize on the 76ers’ depleted roster by attacking the basket and forcing turnovers. The role will fall heavy on Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo to stir the team in favor of their 2-1 season series advantage.

Predicted Lineups: Heat vs 76ers

Miami Heat currently currently seeded 6th, have won 7 out of their last 10 games. Moreover, the home turf advantage seems to lean in favor of the Heats considering their 20-17 record. The team enters the clash with an exceptional defensive end owing to an average of 108.4 conceded points. Helping the team keep the momentum could be Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Nikola Jovic, Terry Rozier, and Jaime Jaquez Jr.

As for the Philadelphia 76ers, they currently hold the 8th position in the Eastern Conference, winning 5 out of their last 10 games. The 76ers themselves are on 2 game winning streak with an away record of 19-19. Averaging 114.3 points per game and conceding 112.1, they have been a balanced side this season performing well on both the offensive and defensive ends. This is how they could line up for the crucial matchup tonight: Kyle Lowry, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Tobias Harris.

Heat will surely feel Herro’s absence but they hold a good chance to secure victory against injury-riddled 76ers. The last time the two went against each other, it was the Sixers emerging victorious. Now with much on stake, it remains to see who takes the crucial feather.

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