The Miami Heat's dream of ending the regular season outside of a play-in spot isn't necessarily dead after a massively disappointing loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. Still, it does hurt more than any loss the Heat have suffered recently.
Had the Heat beat the 76ers, future tiebreakers and seeding could have shifted in Miami's favor. Unfortunately, a blown tire in the second quarter all but doomed the Heat's second-half clawback, falling short 124-117 in the end and increasing the distance between them and the Sixers by 2.5 games.
The Heat could have won this game, but not only did they lose an important game, but they also lost an important player, Norman Powell, to a groin injury, and when he plays again is uncertain.