The Heat lock up the East's #8 seed! Next up... an ECF rematch with Boston in Round 1 🔥🍿 pic.twitter.com/Xjo0sJgBbu

Only two teams will keep their championship dreams alive and clinch the 8 seeds! @mikecwright breaks down the final day of the #SoFiPlayIn. FRIDAY: Bulls-Heat at 7pm/et on ESPN. Pelicans-Kings at 9:30pm/et on TNT. 📰 link.nba.com/Friday-PlayIn pic.twitter.com/ObG581l9vF

New ESPN story: In his eighth NBA season, Buddy Hield – after Wednesday's frantic win in Philly, in which he played a big part – will finally be in the playoffs. It only took him 86 games – the third most of any player in NBA history – to get there: www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/39965430/philadelphia-76ers-buddy-hield-logs-86-games-playoffs

New ESPN story: For much of Wednesday’s game, it looked like it was going to be yet another disappointing night for the Sixers at Wells Fargo Center. Only this time, it wasn’t — and, as a result, the path to a potential deep playoff run remains wide open. www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/39965732/sixers-outduel-heat-stretch-clinch-no-7-seed-east