With the actual regular season suspended indefinitely, we're left without our daily NBA fix. In order to try and fill that vacancy in your life, we're here to give you a simulated version of the real NBA schedule on NBA 2K20 each day!
With the rest of last week unaccounted for, we're picking things up this week with daily updates to follow.
Below we have you covered with today's schedule, top performers, obscure stat lines, key results, other news and an updated playoff picture!
Key wins, losses, upsets
• In a close race to see who gets to get swept by the Bucks in the first round of the playoffs, the Magic are only a half-game ahead of the Nets for the No. 7 seed after letting Derrick Rose go 2011 on them with 37 points. If you let Detroit hang 130 points on you, you deserve the No. 8 seed.
• Let's all say thank you to the Grizzlies, who have allowed us to stay entertained in the race for the final playoff spot in the West. Falling at home to the Thunder while the Blazers picked up a big win means Memphis' hold on the No. 8 seed is down to just two games with 13 games left in the season. Sounds like Dame Time to me.
• The small-ball Rockets annihilated the supersized Cavaliers despite Andre Drummond, Tristan Thompson and Larry Nance Jr. combining for 45 rebounds. Even with the win, Houston is still 1.5 games back from hosting a playoff series against the "rebuilding" team they gifted four first-round picks to this offseason.
Top virtual performers
James Harden – 37 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists
Damian Lillard – 30 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds
Chris Paul – 28 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists
Derrick Rose – 37 points
Obscure stat lines
R.J. Barrett – 2-13 3PT. Just like New York weather this time of year: brick.
Jalen Brunson – 32 points, 6 assists. No, this was not simulated on NCAA Basketball 2018.
Other news
Nikola Mirotic signed with the Trail Blazers and the Bucks are extremely confused. I'm pretty sure that's cheating but who am I to argue with 2K's automated system? 26 points and nine rebounds in his debut; the Grizzlies' playoff hopes are trembling.
March 18 schedule
Detroit Pistons 130, Orlando Magic 101
Charlotte Hornets 123, New York Knicks 100
Houston Rockets 113, Cleveland Cavaliers 86
Oklahoma City Thunder 120, Memphis Grizzlies 112
Portland Trail Blazers 116, Minnesota Timberwolves 86
Dallas Mavericks 126, Sacramento Kings 115
Updated playoff race
| Rank | Team | Record | Win pct. | Games back |
| 1. | Bucks | 56-12 | .824 | - |
| 2. | Raptors | 48-18 | .727 | 7.0 |
| 3. | Celtics | 45-22 | .672 | 10.5 |
| 4. | Heat | 43-25 | .632 | 13.0 |
| 5. | Pacers | 40-26 | .606 | 15.0 |
| 6. | 76ers | 40-27 | .597 | 15.5 |
| 7. | Magic | 32-36 | .471 | 24.0 |
| 8. | Nets | 31-36 | .463 | 24.5 |
| - | Wizards | 25-42 | .373 | 30.5 |
| Rank | Team | Record | Win pct. | Games back |
| 1. | Lakers | 52-14 | .788 | - |
| 2. | Clippers | 47-20 | .701 | 5.5 |
| 3. | Nuggets | 45-22 | .672 | 7.5 |
| 4. | Thunder | 43-25 | .632 | 10.0 |
| 5. | Rockets | 41-26 | .612 | 11.5 |
| 6. | Jazz | 41-27 | .603 | 12.0 |
| 7. | Mavericks | 41-29 | .586 | 13.0 |
| 8. | Grizzlies | 34-35 | .493 | 19.5 |
| - | Blazers | 32-37 | .464 | 21.5 |
| - | Pelicans | 30-38 | .441 | 23.0 |
| - | Kings | 29-38 | .433 | 23.5 |
| - | Spurs | 28-38 | .424 | 24.0 |
The views here do not represent those of the NBA or its clubs.
