Sixers close out regular season with a win

In a battle of the benches, the Philadelphia 76ers topped the Chicago Bulls, 125-109. Jonathon Simmons led the Sixers in scoring with 20 points. T.J. McConnell tied his career-high with 18 points on 9-of-10 shooting, and Zhaire Smith shattered his career high with 17 points.

Boban Marjanovic made two 3-point shots, doubling his total career makes. Local heroes Ryan Arcidiacono and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot each chipped in 14 points for the Bulls, but the Sixers won comfortably, going up by as much as 33 in the second half.

The Sixers’ usual starters didn’t play, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t make highlights. Jimmy Butler made a paper airplane, and it was geometrically perfect. Good for you, Jimmy!

In more important news, the Brooklyn Nets won tonight, meaning they’ll be the Sixers’ first-round playoff opponent. They've given the Sixers some trouble this year, so round one won’t be a walk in the park.

Because Shake Milton and Haywood Highsmith are on two-way contracts, they are ineligible to play in the postseason. Although we’ve seen the last of those two this season, we may just be seeing the beginning of Zhaire Smith’s contributions. He has looked solid since making his NBA debut, and he might have played himself into some playoff minutes.

I also feel comfortable predicting this is the last time we’ll see an Amir Johnson-Greg Monroe lineup. It was a wonderful combination that will be remembered fondly by Sixers fans for years to come.