Saturday was supposed to be the first day of the NBA Playoffs. A day that is somewhat of a national holiday in the house of hardcore hoop fans who sit and wait in anticipation to see if their favorite team can complete the chase for an NBA title.
That day got taken from all of us due to the global coronavirus pandemic that has kept everybody inside in an effort to stop the spread of the virus. So, in an effort to at least have some type of playoff basketball, there is a simulation out there for fans to take advantage of.
Strat-O-Matic, which is a fantasy site that simulates games, simulated the first day of the playoffs and they had the Philadelphia 76ers going into Boston and winning Game 1 over the Celtics 107-105. Joel Embiid led the way with 32 points and 15 rebounds, Matisse Thybulle hopped off the bench had 14 points, and Al Horford had 12 points and eight rebounds.
Based on @StratOMatic which simulates games, the Sixers win Game 1 over the Celtics on the road today 107-105. Joel Embiid had 32 points and 15 rebounds to lead the way, Matisse Thybulle had 14 off the bench, and Al Horford had 12 and 8. Big win to get home court. #Sixers
— Ky Carlin (@Ky_Carlin) April 19, 2020
Ben Simmons had 11 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, Tobias Harris had 13 and eight rebounds, and Josh Richardson added 12 and eight boards in a team effort to stop Celtics All-Star Kemba Walker who had 31 points to lead Boston. It’s a terrific win for the Sixers to get home-court advantage in this series. Especially when you consider how poor they have been on the road this season.
According to Strat-O-Matic’s schedule, Game 2 is Monday at the TD Garden. [lawrence-related id=29648,29629,29640]