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5 takeaways from Day 5 of the scrimmages in Orlando

Yash Matange

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5 takeaways from Day 5 of the scrimmages in Orlando image

Five games went down on Day 5 of the scrimmage games in Orlando. 

In the limited minutes, the stars came to play with All-Stars Ben Simmons, Luka Doncic, and James Harden shining in their respective contests. 

With each team playing its penultimate scrimmage games, there were plenty of storylines from each game: 

Simmons dominates, Roberson caps off OKC comeback

For the second straight game, Ben Simmons was balling. With Joel Embiid out in this one, the Aussies nearly recorded a triple-double of 14 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists in 26 minutes. He shot 5-of-10 from the field and was a game-high +21 when on the floor. 

However, despite Simmons' heroics, the Thunder pulled off the 24-point comeback by outscoring the 76ers 32-16 in the final period. It was capped off by a couple of late threes in the final minutes from Andre Roberson, who had only returned last game after previously being out of action for over 900 days.

Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the Thunder's top scorer - 16 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals, in the Thunder's 102-97 win. 

Veteran PGs return in Celtics-Suns contest

Kemba Walker suited for the Celtics for this game, after missing their first scrimmage. In today's 117-103 win, he played just nine minutes and finished with six points. Meanwhile, the Suns welcomed back Ricky Rubio after six days of quarantine in the bubble.

The C's picked up their first win in Orlando behind their trio of double-digit scorers in Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Gordon Hayward, who combined for 54 points. 

Doncic stars but Sabonis-less Pacers win

In just 24 minutes of play, Luka Doncic nearly recorded a triple-double - 20 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists. However, despite missing key forward Domantas Sabonis, the Indiana Pacers came away with the win. 

Starting a small line-up around Myles Turner, the Pacers took the game away in the middle two quarters by outscoring the Mavericks 66-49 after they were outscored 37-26 in the first. T.J. Warren was the team's top-scorer with 20 points. 

Raptors showcase depth in win

After battling its fair share of injuries during the regular season, the Raptors, in the bubble are fully healthy and they are now flexing their muscles.

They improved to 2-0 in scrimmage games, showcase their depth as the bench accounted for 57 points in the team's 110-104 win. Five different players knocked down at least three 3-pointers with the reserve duo of Matt Thomas and Terrence Davis knocking down four each. 

CJ McCollum was the Trail Blazers' top scorer with 21 points. For the Raptors, Fred VanVleet left the game in the second quarter with a 'banged' left knee but coach Nick Nurse said postgame that it wasn't too bad. 

Harden guides Rockets past Grizzlies

Down by 10 points heading in the fourth quarter, James Harden powered the Rockets to the win in the fourth. They outscored the Grizzlies 40-17 in the final period to clinch their first win in the bubble.

The other star in the Rockets' win came off the bench in Ben McLemore, who finished with 26 points on 8-of-10 shooting (6-7 3Ps).

The views expressed here do not represent those of the NBA or its clubs.

Yash Matange

Yash Matange Photo