Ben Simmons and his star-studded Philadelphia 76ers are on the verge of being eliminated from the NBA playoffs after the Toronto Raptors powered to a crushing victory.
The Raptors demolished Philadelphia 125-89 in Toronto on Wednesday (AEST) to take a 3-2 lead in the eastern conference semi-final series.
Toronto can knock the 76ers out with a win in Friday's game six in Philadelphia.
Kawhi Leonard, averaging 38 points after the first game of the series, scored just 21 points in the pivotal game five.
But he received plenty of support, with the Raptors' other four starters scoring in double figures, including a game-high 25 points from Pascal Siakam.
Australia's Simmons started the game with two turnovers and it did not get much better for the All-Star and reigning NBA rookie of the year.
He had five turnovers for the game and coach Brett Brown benched him for the fourth quarter with the game already out of reach.
Simmons played just 25 minutes and had seven points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals.
The 76ers' All-Star centre Joel Embiid, battling a stomach virus, upper-respiratory illness and sore knees, had a disastrous game with eight turnovers to go with just 13 points and six rebounds in 31 minutes.
Philadelphia appeared poised to make the NBA finals this year after adding All-Star Jimmy Butler and elite small forward Tobias Harris in mid-season trades.
However, they appeared demoralised midway through the game-five rout.
A 37-17 second quarter from the Raptors gave them a 64-43 lead at half-time and they entered the final period up 92-70.
History is against the 76ers.
The winners of game five when a series is locked 2-2 have gone on to win the series 82 per cent of the time.
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