Jimmy Butler "Glad" To Play Philadelphia 76ers On The Road In Play-In Tournament

Anthony Pasciolla | Apr 14, 2024

Apr 14, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) center Bam Adebayo (13); Credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports / Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Heat are facing off against the Philadelphia 76ers in the first game of the Eastern Conference's Play-In Tournament on Wednesday.

The Heat took care of business against the Toronto Raptors in the regular-season finale, but the road gets tougher from here. Heading to the Wells Fargo Center to face reigning MVP Joel Embiid and the Sixers is no easy task, but Heat star Jimmy Butler is optimistic about the challenge.

"That's a question that I don't have the answer to. I wish we played better at home. I don't know. Whenever we get on the road, our back against the wall a little bit," Butler said. "I guess we get out of our comfort zone, and then we really start making things happen, so I'm actually kind of glad we're on the road."

If the Heat win on Wednesday, their Round 1 opponent is guard Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks. If they are defeated, Miami will face the winner of the Atlanta Hawks-Chicago Bulls Play-In game on Wednesday for a chance to face the one-seeded Boston Celtics.

The Heat and Sixers are at near full health entering the Play-In Tournament. Guard Tyler Herro is back in the lineup after missing 20 games due to a foot injury. However, guards Terry Rozier and Duncan Robinson are dealing with neck and back injuries, respectively. Meanwhile, the 76ers' rotation is at full strength outside of guard De'Anthony Melton.

Anthony Pasciolla is a contributing writer to Inside The Heat. He can be reached at ampasciolla@gmail.com or followed on Instagram @anthony.pasciolla