76ers defeat Wizards 129-112 in Game 5 to advance to second round

Seth Curry exploded for 30 points, Tobias Harris added 28 and Ben Simmons put in a triple-double with 19 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds as the Philadelphia 76ers closed out the Washington Wizards 4-1 with a 129-112 win in Game 5 on Wednesday night at Wells Fargo Center.

Bradley Beal had 32 points to lead the Wizards while Russell Westbrook added 24 points and 10 assists. The 76ers were able to get the job done with Joel Embiid, who is day-to-day with a meniscus tear.

The Wizards kept it close for much of the first half after Beal and Westbrook got off to hot starts, but the 76ers stayed with them. After taking a two-point lead into the break, Philadelphia exploded out of the gate with a 38-31 advantage in the third quarter before sealing the game with a 10-1 run midway through the fourth.

Simmons showcased his all-around abilities while Curry provided some much needed outside shooting for the 76ers. The guard hit three of his six attempts from behind the arc while getting to the free throw line seven times. Harris, who has been a steady presence in the series, added nine rebounds, six assists and three steals in the win.

The 76ers taking Game 5 should give Embiid some additional days off before the second round. Philadelphia has seen its title odds drop due to the big man’s injury, but the Sixers could still offer some value assuming the team is accurately reporting Embiid’s status.

Look for Simmons and Harris to continue having big roles with Embiid out. The Wizards weren’t much of a test in Game 5, but the Sixers proved they could hold their own without the star in the middle.