Sixers vs Heat, by the numbers: Tyrese Maxey’s evolution and playoff Jimmy Butler could determine East’s 7th seed

April 17, 2024

Apr 6, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) is defended by Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The Philadelphia 76ers take on the Miami Heat tonight at the Wells Fargo Center, in the first of two Eastern Conference play-in games tonight which will go towards deciding the 7th and 8 seeds in the playoffs.
While this isn't a single elimination game, this game does carry significant stakes for both teams. Win tonight and you have two days off before starting a first round playoff series against the New York Knicks. Lose and you're forced into a win-or-go-home game against the winner of the 9 vs 10 play-in game, with a loss meaning the end of your season and a win forcing you into a first-round matchup against the 64-win Boston Celtics.
This matchup also carries with it a lot of extra juic...