PREVIEW: The Miami Heat visit the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday at 7 p.m. EST in Eastern Conference action , with significant playoff implications hanging in the balance. Tyrese Maxey and the 76ers face off against Bam Adebayo and the Heat , two squads separated by seeding but united in their desperation for wins down the stretch. Philadelphia enters riding a two-game winning streak with fresh momentum after routing the Pacers and Timberwolves , while Miami comes off a disappointing loss to Milwaukee. The 76ers are favored by 2.5 points according to oddsmakers , reflecting their status as the home team with recent form on their side. Maxey has emerged as a dominant force, shooting 46.7 percent and averaging 29.1 points for Philadelphia , while Joel Embiid recently returned from injury to register 27 points in just 26 minutes against Indiana. The Heat counter with Norman Powell's 22.9 scoring average and Tyler Herro's 20.9 points per night , giving Miami multiple offensive weapons in a matchup that could shift conference standings. Miami's offense ranks second in the league at 120 points per game, 4.1 more than what Philadelphia allows defensively , suggesting the Heat's firepower could challenge a 76ers defense looking to establish itself at home. The Sixers face an uphill battle, having lost their last five meetings against Miami , making this a critical opportunity to reverse a troubling trend in the season series.