Simmons and Embiid in bizarre conspiracy theory as Sixers advance

Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid led their team from the front to secure a 4-1 series win for the 76ers in a dominant 122-100 victory over the Nets, but some pundits believe the star duo’s relationship isn’t all it seems.

Embiid led the way in game five with 23 points and 13 rebounds, while Simmons assisted with 13 points, six assists and five rebounds in a strong showing from the 76s stars.

But before the game basketball pundit Vincent Goodwill, from First Things First, claimed Embiid may have pushed to play game four because he didn’t want Simmons to steal the spotlight again after his sensational game three.

“Ben Simmons had his best game of the series in game three when Joel Embiid was out,” Goodwill said on the program. “And Embiid was supposedly a game-time decision in game four. If Tobias Harris scored 40 in game three would Joel Embiid have played in game four?”

Co-panellist Nick Wright then ran with the idea that Embiid wanted to prove he was the key man.

“You’re now the second person who is really plugged in who has the same theory,” Wright added.

“That one of the reasons Embiid said ‘I’m going [to play]’ is because Ben Simmons had played so well the night before and there is the credit push-pull, a little Shaq-Penny component … there is an element of ‘woah, everyone loves him? Remember I’m The Process’.

The theory didn’t appear to hold any truth on the court though as Simmons and Embiid combined beautifully.

76ers advance

Speaking after the game Embiid said that the team did not want to squander its 3-1 lead at home. “I think everybody was focused and we did our job,” Embiid said of the win.

The 76ers opened Game 5 of the Eastern Conference playoffs with a 32 point first quarter, including a 14-0 run to begin the contest.

Philadelphia never looked back and the Nets were unable to catch up. At halftime, the 76ers led 60-31 and continued to build onto their lead in the second half.

Meanwhile, the Nets tried to play catch up with 33 and 36 point third and fourth quarters, but it was not enough.

76ers head coach Brett Brown commended his team’s win over Brooklyn, but noted it was just one part of a larger goal. “We still have more to do,” Brown said. “A lot more to do.”

Tobias Harris added an additional 12 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals for the 76ers. Ben Simmons contributed 13 points, five rebounds and six assists in the win.