NBA: A 2K simulation for the remainder of the 2019-20 season
By John Nassif
End of season standings
- Milwaukee Bucks 65-17/Los Angeles Lakers 63-19
- Toronto Raptors 58-24/LA Clippers 61-21
- Boston Celtics 57-25 3/Denver Nuggets 54-28
- Philadelphia 76ers 52-30/Oklahoma City Thunder 51-31
- Miami Heat 50-32/Utah Jazz 51-31
- Indiana Pacers 45-37/Houston Rockets 50-32
- Orlando Magic 41-41/Dallas Mavericks 50-32
- Brooklyn Nets 39-42/New Orleans Pelicans 38-44
- Washington Wizards 30-52/Memphis Grizzlies 38-44
- Charlotte Hornets 28-54/Portland Trail Blazers 37-45
Consider me heartbroken. The Memphis Grizzlies couldn’t hold on to their advantage for the 8th seed and lost a tiebreaker to the New Orleans Pelicans. Coming down to the final day of the regular season, Memphis had a one-game lead over New Orleans. A win would have clinched a playoff berth, but a buzzer-beater by James Harden lifted the Houston Rockets to a 113-111 win to close out the season and send the Zion-led Pelicans into the playoffs.
Also worth noting, Philadelphia ended the season on a blazing 14-4 run to clinch the ever-important homecourt advantage in the first round. And in what would have been laughed at to start the season, the Oklahoma City Thunder continued their incredible run by clinching the 4th seed and homecourt in the Western Conference as well.
The way the season shook out promises some incredible first-round matchups, but there are a few injuries to keep an eye out for heading into the playoffs.