The NBA play-in tournament is in full swing, and as the Western Conference kicked off the action last night, the Eastern Conference is ready to tip off tonight with two highly anticipated matchups. The Philadelphia 76ers will take on the Miami Heat, while the Chicago Bulls face off against the Atlanta Hawks. Both games have generated excitement among fans and experts, with teams vying for a chance to secure a deep playoff run.

One player who is expected to make a significant impact in the 76ers vs. Heat clash is Joel Embiid. The dominant center has been in sensational form, averaging 33.0 points per game in his last three outings. Despite facing a tough Heat defense led by Bam Adebayo, Embiid's recent performances have raised expectations, especially as he looks to continue his scoring spree. Betting odds suggest that Embiid is favored to surpass 29.5 points in the game.

Another player who could make a difference in the early stages of the game is Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers. Maxey has consistently exceeded expectations, particularly in first-quarter assists. With the Miami Heat ranking 23rd in assists allowed per game to point guards, Maxey has a favorable opportunity to surpass the line of 1.5 first-quarter assists.

Turning our attention to the Hawks vs. Bulls matchup, defense is anticipated to be the name of the game. As per statistics from ESPN, "unders" were prevalent in previous play-in games, and considering the encouraging defensive environment of the postseason, it is expected that this game will similarly go under the 222.5 points line. BPI projections even suggest a total of 217.8 points, well below the current line.

Trae Young, the dynamic guard of the Atlanta Hawks, is expected to have a significant impact on the outcome of the game. With Young exceeding 13.5 assists and rebounds in two of his past three games since returning from injury, he seems to be finding his rhythm. The Bulls have struggled to contain Young in their previous meetings this season, making it an opportune moment for him to shine.

The Philadelphia 76ers will host the Miami Heat at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, scheduled for 7 p.m. The 76ers are favored by 5.5 points, with a total set at 207.5 points. According to the Basketball Power Index (BPI), the 76ers are projected to win by 4.2 points, with a straight-up probability of 64%. The BPI also forecasts a total of 201.2 points for the game.

Following that, the Atlanta Hawks will visit the United Center in Chicago to face the Bulls at 9:30 p.m. The Bulls are favored by 3.5 points, with a total set at 222.5 points. The BPI projects the Bulls to win by 3.2 points, with a straight-up probability of 60%. The total points projection for this game stands at 217.8.

As the Eastern Conference play-in games commence, all eyes will be on these exciting matchups. With star players vying to outperform expectations and secure a spot in the playoffs, fans can anticipate a thrilling night of basketball action.