76ers vs. Heat Play-In Matchup Has NBA Fans Excited for Start of 2024 Playoffs | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

The Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat will officially be taking part in the Eastern Conference's 7-8 play-in game on Wednesday.

This is a loaded matchup to say the least. Both teams were considered contenders for the Eastern Conference crown before the season, and it still wouldn't be a major shock to see either make a run to the NBA Finals from the play-in tournamwnt.

But various circumstances led to the 76ers and Heat needing to win their way into the playoffs.

Philadelphia missed Joel Embiid for two-plus months with a meniscus injury and struggled during his time away. The Heat missed Tyler Herro for half a season and Jimmy Butler for over 20 games. Still, the two teams nearly qualified for the top six but fell just short.

However, this game marks a great start to the Eastern Conference playoffs, with the winner earning the No. 7 seed and playing the No. 2 seed New York Knicks. The loser will need to beat either the No. 9 seed Chicago Bulls or No. 10 Atlanta Hawks to make the postseason, and that will lead to a matchup against the No. 1 Boston Celtics.

So the C's and Knicks could be facing some powerful first-round opponents loaded with star power. Until then, though, fans are amped for this game and what lies ahead.

Brian Mahoney @briancmahoney

Nobody has really wanted the No. 2 seed in the East. It likely has meant playing the Heat or 76ers in the first round, or UConn in the regional final.

Mark Jackson's Burner @casualtakeking

76ers vs Heat play-in matchup is set. <br><br>"Tobias Harris over me?!" 🍿<a href="">

Emo Jimmy @WheelerJaylen

The Celtics reward for getting 64 wins and the best record in the NBA is really about to be a matchup vs the Heat or Sixers lmao

Leger Douzable @LegerDouzable

And now they get the 76ers or Heat congrats 😂😂😂 <a href="">

Jack 🏹📋 @murray_center27

Heat 76ers playin is going to be cinema

RejuvenatedColtsFan @szn_holiday

Knicks 76ers and Celtics Heat gotta be the best first round matchups in years

Pickswise @Pickswise

*Sixers vs Heat in the play in game*<br><br>Me: <a href="">

SourJerm @Sourjerm

Nobody wanna play a healthy Heat or Sixers team and that's a fact

✨ @abolishcxps

what are we all wearing to sixers vs heat

ThunderChets @ThunderChats

Heat vs Sixers play in, we are about to have a MEAL

𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒆 🌩 @Three_Cone

Heat Sixers play in game we will be watching

Derrick Acheampong @ChocBoy_Wonder

Butler and Embiid going at each other is going to be a movie <a href="">

Costa @CincyPlzWin

Butler vs Embiid being a play in game is crazy.<br><br>I know Philly and Miami fully healthy are better than Indiana, Orlando, maybe Cleveland.

Tipoff for 76ers vs. Heat is set for 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday in Philadelphia.