The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Miami Heat, 109-105, at Kaseya Center on Thursday.

The 76ers (42-35) ensured a winning record this season and took a massive step toward clinching a Top 6 seed in the Eastern Conference with a tight win over the Heat (42-34). It was not an easy win for Philadelphia, but the play of their stars lifted them when it mattered the most. The Sixers enjoyed a strong start and raced to a 39-29 lead in the first quarter, but the Heat responded with a 26-24 score in the second quarter, perhaps showing signs of a potential momentum shift. A 33-24 score in the third quarter gave Miami the lead, but the 76ers responded when they had their backs against the wall. Philadelphia closed things out by winning the fourth quarter, 22-17. The win keeps the 76ers in eighth place, but they’re now just one game behind the Indiana Pacers (43-34), with both teams having five contests left. The Heat are sandwiched between them in seventh place and with one fewer game.

Tyrese Maxey led the way for the 76ers with 37 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds. Joel Embiid only logged 33 minutes, but he finished with 29 points, four rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block. Kelly Oubre Jr. posted 18 points, eight rebounds and two steals. No other 76ers player scored in double digits. The Sixers shot 46.7 percent from the field and 35 percent from three-point range.

Terry Rozier led the way for the Heat with 22 points, two rebounds and two assists. Jimmy Butler had 20 points, five assists and four rebounds. Bam Adebayo notched 14 points and 11 rebounds while also adding three assists. Nikola Jovic posted 11 points and five rebounds. Kevin Love added 12 points and Haywood Highsmith recorded 11, both coming off the bench. The Heat shot 41.5 percent from the field and 30.2 percent from deep.