The Sixers are on the final road trip of the season starting with a game in Miami Monday against the Heat.
The Philadelphia 76ers are coming off their 11th straight loss, most recently falling to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Their tank rolls on to Miami for their final matchup of the 2024–25 season against the Heat.
Speaking of losses, a defeat to the Heat would all but lock the Sixers into the fifth-best lottery odds. As it stands, they’re 2.5 games “ahead” of the Brooklyn Nets and 1.5 games “behind” the New Orleans Pelicans in the reverse standings. If the Sixers finish in that fifth spot, they’d have a 63.9% chance of keeping their pick, with it projected to land anywhere in the top six.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves — there are still four games left before the Sixers’ season officially comes to an end, starting with tonight’s matchup against the Heat. Fortunately for those rooting for the tank, Miami has plenty of incentive to win this one.
As things stand, the Heat hold the final play-in spot at 10th in the Eastern Conference, with a comfortable seven-game lead over the Toronto Raptors. While their place in the play-in is secure, they’re still playing for seeding. The Chicago Bulls currently sit a half-game ahead of them in ninth, which matters — whoever finishes ninth gets home-court advantage in the first play-in game. The Heat are also technically within reach of the seventh seed, currently held by their in-state rivals, the Orlando Magic. If they somehow caught up, finishing seventh would give them two opportunities for a postseason appearance.
Assuming the Heat don’t get in their own way, all signs point toward another Sixers loss. Still, there are a couple of bright spots worth watching in tonight’s game: Quentin Grimes and Adem Bona.
Grimes is coming off yet another strong individual showing, dropping 28 points on 55.6% shooting. Bona, meanwhile, had the best game of his young career two outings ago and followed it up with a respectable effort against Rudy Gobert — finishing with four points, 10 rebounds, two assists and two stocks (steals + blocks). Miami’s Bam Adebayo presents another tough test for Bona, as both players are long, mobile bigs capable of switching on defense.
The Sixers’ season is quickly winding down, and for some, it can’t come soon enough. Tonight’s game offers another opportunity for the team to do what’s needed: secure yet another essential loss as they continue their march toward the lottery.
Game Details
When: Monday, April 7, 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Kaseya Center, Miami, FL
Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Follow: @LibertyBallers