The Miami Heat, who are 32-41, are 5.5 games ahead of the Toronto Raptors, who are 27-47, for the 10th and final spot in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament bracket. The Philadelphia 76ers, who are ranked 12th, are nine games behind Miami but are still in the running for the postseason.
https://sportpop.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Miami-to-be-without-laundry-list-of-players-vs.-76ers.webpThe two former East contenders will play each other on Saturday night in a crucial game for both teams. Miami is still smarting after a terrible 10-game losing streak and is looking to stabilize itself with the postseason approaching, while Philadelphia is hoping to maximize its lottery odds.
After making a huge free agency splash over the summer, Philadelphia has been dealing with the fallout of a year from absolute hell. Maximum-salaried new All-Star signing Paul George regressed mightily in his age-34 season, and was mercifully shut down when the 76ers acknowledged their playoff aspirations were all but dead. Philadelphia has already moved off another of its big free agent signings, ex-Heat forward Caleb Martin, in a trade to the Dallas Mavericks. More NBA News:76ers’ Nightmare Season Continues as Paul George Will Miss Remainder of Year
2023 league MVP center Joel Embiid struggled with left knee inflammation all year, and was officially ruled out for the rest of the season in Feb. The oft-hurt big man, 31, only suited up in 19 games. Philadelphia just extended him to the tune of a three-year, $192.9 million maximum deal over the summer, so confident was the club in his long-term health. The 76ers’ third All-Star, point guard Tyrese Maxey, has yet to be officially ruled out for the season, but is certainly trending to not play again in 2024-25 as team general manager Daryl Morey looks to increase his bid for a top pick in this summer’s 2025 NBA Draft. Per Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports, Maxey has been ruled out with a sprained right finger.
The 6-foot-2 Kentucky product hasn’t played since March 3. In his 52 healthy games this year, Maxey is averaging 26.3 points on .437/.337/.879 shooting splits, 6.1 dimes, 3.3 boards, and 1.8 swipes a night. So what of Andrew Wiggins? A one-time All-Star and champion with the Golden State Warriors, Wiggins was the most critical present-day piece to return to Miami (the team also added a first-round draft pick) as part of its blockbuster multi-team trade of six-time All-Star small forward Jimmy Butler, who landed with the revamped Golden State Warriors. More NBA News:Warriors’ Jimmy Butler Breaks Silence on Heat Suspension Ahead of Matchup Wiggins and Butler have actually put up comparable scoring numbers on their respective new squads, but Butler remains by far the better defender, distributor, and (when so inclined) locker room presence. Per Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel, Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters that Wiggins is sitting out this road jaunt against Philadelphia to treat a tight hamstring.
The 30-year-old is averaging 19.9 points on .465/.367/.761 shooting splits, 4.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.1 steal,s and 1.1 blocks in his 15 healthy games for the Heat.
