ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith, one of the Knicks biggest supporters had a message before the Eastern Conference Play-In games tonight, saying “We want Miami.”

Unfortunately for Stephen A Smith, the Knicks will prepare for Joel Embiid this weekend.

Embiid and the 76ers stand in the Knicks’ way in the first playoff series between the teams since 1989 after they fought back from a 14-point hole to pull out a 105-104 victory over Butler and the Heat in the Eastern Conference play-in round to advance to a first-round series beginning Saturday against the Knicks at the Garden.

Embiid scored 23 points and grabbed 15 rebounds after he had been listed as questionable for the game due to maintenance on the knee injury that had sidelined him for more than two months before an early-April return.

Butler and the Heat still can advance as the eighth seed to face the league-best Celtics if they can defeat the Bulls Friday night.

Up next, the Knicks host the 76ers on Saturday at 3p ET.

By Vincent Quezada

Photo courtesy of Getty Images