The Heat beat (129-101) the Sixers already qualified for the playoffs and waiting to meet their opponent in the first round of the playoffs.
Miami (seventh) is doing everything to be her, even if the probability of overtaking Brooklyn (sixth) in extremis is very remote.
But it exists and it boils down to this scenario: if the Nets, who have their destiny in hand, lose their last two home games against Orlando and Philadelphia, while the Heat win theirs in Washington and against Orlando, the challenge arises.
Meanwhile, Miami played a scorching first quarter (41-31) with 68.2% shooting success.
Philly's defense was not the best - Miami came to have a 33-point lead - against Jimmy Butler (24 points, same as Tyler Herro).
Joel Embiid settled for 21 points, spending the last quarter on the bench to avoid any unnecessary risk of injury.
Without its best elements, spared Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, Cleveland (fourth) won (118-94) in Orlando, also without its starters.
Veteran Danny Green stood out off the bench (21 points) for the Cavs.
In the West, the Thunder earned a decisive victory over the Jazz (114-98).
If Oklahoma City, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (22 points) and Josh Giddey (17 points, 8 assists) wins its last game against Memphis on Sunday, it will certainly play the "play-ins", to the detriment of Dallas (11th) which it will then be deleted.
Finally, in a match without much at stake, except to offer a taste of a possible match in the semifinals in the West, Phoenix (fourth) had the last word on leaders Denver (119-115).
The Nuggets, who will be seeded #1, rested their five stars (Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr, Aaron Gordon, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope).
But the substitutes made life difficult for the Suns.
Kevin Durant, arrived two months ago but little used due to an ankle injury,
