The NBA is, obviously, on hold due to the global coronavirus pandemic, but basketball is still being played through a simulation.
Strat-O-Matic has been simulating the NBA Playoffs as if they are happening in real life and the 6 seed Philadelphia 76ers took on the 3 seed Boston Celtics in Game 5 of their Round 1 series needing a win to get the home-court advantage back. They dropped Game 4 at home to lose it after winning Game 3, but their chance had come at the TD Garden.
Josh Richardson knocked down 4-for-8 from deep and scored 22 points to lead the Sixers to a 112-102 win over the Celtics and take a 3-2 series lead. Joel Embiid had 20 points and 12 rebounds, Ben Simmons had 15 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists, and Furkan Korkmaz had 13 off the bench.
According to the simulation, Philadelphia somehow went into Boston today and beat the Celtics 112-102. Josh Richardson has 22, Joel Embiid had 20 and 12, Ben Simmons had 15, 10, and 9, Furkan Korkmaz has 13, and Tobias Harris has 16 and 9. Its a 3-2 lead. #Sixers
— Ky Carlin (@Ky_Carlin) April 28, 2020
Tobias Harris added 16 points and nine rebounds and Al Horford had 10. It’s Philadelphia’s second road win of the series which is surprising when considering they have been a very bad road team during the regular season.
For the Celtics, they were led by Kemba Walker with 25 points and Gordon Hayward and Marcus Smart had 13 points each. Jayson Tatum struggled shooting the ball just 3-for-17 from the floor.
The Sixers will have a chance to close out the Celtics on Thursday from the Wells Fargo Center. [lawrence-related id=30161,30144,30146]