76ers' Embiid: 'Pretty good chance' I'll play in Game 2 or 3

Help is on the way for the Philadelphia 76ers as they partake in their first playoff series since 2012.

All-Star center Joel Embiid said Saturday he feels there's a "pretty good chance" he'll be cleared to return from an orbital bone fracture in either Game 2 or 3 against the Miami Heat, according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.

"If it was my decision, I would play, but I can't get back out on the court if I don't have the OK from them," Embiid said. "But everything has been going well. I've been able to do everything. And I feel great. So we got a pretty good chance for Game 2 or Game 3. We gonna see how it feels in the next couple of days.

"I got to do some contact stuff and see how it feels, and then they are going to allow me to be back. I did a little bit today, kind of like dummy defense - not really contact but, like, a body on me."

He sat out the final eight games of the 2017-18 campaign because of his injury, which he suffered in a collision with rookie teammate Markelle Fultz on March 28. Philadelphia went a perfect 8-0 during that stretch as part of its 16-game winning streak.

Decked out in his protective mask, Embiid was in attendance for Game 1 Saturday to ring the ceremonial bell prior to tipoff.

Game 2 goes down Monday night at Wells Fargo Center, with Game 3 set for Thursday at American Airlines Arena in South Beach.

Embiid averaged 22.9 points, 11 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.8 blocks in 63 appearances this season.