Last Updated on September 11, 2024 by Mathew Diekhake

The Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat have had several key matchups and events over the years, both in the regular season and the playoffs. Below is a timeline of some significant moments between these two franchises:

1990s

  • March 15, 1996: Miami Heat vs. Philadelphia 76ers, in the Heat’s first era of success with Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway, the Heat began establishing themselves as playoff contenders, while the Sixers were struggling in the post-Charles Barkley era.

2000s

  • 2003-2004 Season: The Sixers, led by Allen Iverson, faced off against the Dwyane Wade-led Miami Heat, with the Heat entering a new phase after drafting Wade in 2003. The teams were competitive in this period, but no significant playoff matchups occurred.
  • 2005 Playoff Push: The Heat, bolstered by Shaquille O’Neal and Wade, were dominant in the Eastern Conference. While the Sixers with Iverson were still competitive, they missed out on a deep playoff run during this period, as the Heat advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals.

2010s

  • Post-“The Process” Era: The Sixers began rebuilding after a period of tanking, drafting key players like Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. Meanwhile, the Heat entered the post-LeBron James era after his departure in 2014.
  • 2011 NBA Playoffs: The first notable playoff series between the two came in the 2011 Eastern Conference First Round. The No. 2 seed Miami Heat, with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh, faced the No. 7 seed Philadelphia 76ers. The Heat won the series 4-1 on their way to the NBA Finals, where they eventually lost to the Dallas Mavericks.
  • 2018 NBA Playoffs: In the 2018 Eastern Conference First Round, the No. 3 seed Philadelphia 76ers faced the No. 6 seed Miami Heat. This was the first playoff appearance for the Sixers’ young core, including Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. The Sixers won the series 4-1, marking their first playoff series win since 2012.

2020s

  • 2020 NBA Regular Season: Both teams were playoff contenders, but the season was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Miami Heat, led by Jimmy Butler (a former Sixer), made it to the NBA Finals in the “NBA Bubble,” while the 76ers were swept in the first round by the Boston Celtics.
  • 2022 NBA Playoffs: The two teams met in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The No. 1 seed Miami Heat, led by Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, faced the No. 4 seed Philadelphia 76ers, who had traded for James Harden to pair with Joel Embiid. Despite Embiid missing the first two games due to injury, the Sixers fought hard, but the Heat won the series 4-2 and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals.

2023 and Beyond

  • In the 2022-2023 season, the rivalry remained strong as both teams continued to battle for supremacy in the Eastern Conference. The Sixers, under Joel Embiid’s leadership, remained competitive, while the Heat, led by Jimmy Butler and Adebayo, stayed as perennial playoff contenders.

Key Themes in the Rivalry:

  • Jimmy Butler’s Role: Jimmy Butler, who played for the 76ers in 2018-2019, has been central to the rivalry since joining the Heat. His performances against his former team, especially in the 2022 playoffs, have added an extra layer of intensity.
  • Star Power: Over the years, stars like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Shaquille O’Neal, Allen Iverson, Joel Embiid, and Jimmy Butler have been at the forefront of these matchups.

The Sixers vs. Heat rivalry has grown significantly over the years, with the teams facing off in high-stakes playoff series and featuring some of the NBA’s top talent.