‘Absolutely incredible’ Ben shines again; MVP frontrunners put on epic show — NBA Wrap
Ben Simmons continued his resurgence because the Nets bounced again.
Plus Luka Doncic and Jayson Tatum placed on a present, and extra.
Catch up on all the day’s motion in our NBA Wrap!
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Wiggins goes wild as Warriors defeat LA | 01:17
NETS BOUNCE BACK AS SIMMONS IMPRESSES AGAIN
Ben Simmons continued his resurgence in opposition to the Toronto Raptors on the street on Thursday (all occasions AEDT)
The Aussie racked up 14 factors, six assists, three steals and two blocks in one other well-rounded efficiency, incomes ample reward for his work on the defensive finish because the Nets downed the Raptors 112-98 to enhance to 9-10.
After failing to attain in double figures in any of his first 9 video games, Simmons has now scored 11, 15, 22, 11 and 14 factors in his final 4 outings.
It got here on the second half of a again to again for the Nets after they have been humbled by an undermanned Sixers aspect on Wednesday in Simmons’ first time taking part in in opposition to his outdated aspect.
And Brooklyn meant business from the opening tip in opposition to Toronto — placing 38 factors on the board within the first time period — as they bounced again after their poor displaying in Philadelphia.
The Nets let Toronto again into the competition within the second time period earlier than reopening a double-digit lead within the third, then not trying again from that time.
Kyrie Irving led Brooklyn with a game-high 29 factors as all Nets starters scored in double figures.
It got here in opposition to an undermanned Raptors aspect lacking Fred VanVleet, Scottie Barnes and Pascal Siakam, with Gary Trent Jr. scoring a team-best 19.
TATUM LEADS CELTS PAST LUKA’S MAVS IN EPIC DUEL
Fans have been handled to an epic battle between the 2 MVP frontrunners Luka Doncic and Jayson Tatum — and the duel greater than lived as much as it.
Tatum’s Celtics emerged victorious at residence 125-112 because the star ahead posted 37 factors, 13 rebounds, 5 assists and two blocks in a sport that was all the time pretty one-sided, with Boston main by as a lot as 25 within the first half.
Doncic in the meantime put up 42 factors, eight rebounds and 9 assists, nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient to get his crew even shut.
The Celtics, whose nine-game win streak was snapped earlier this week by Chicago, bounced again by dominating the Mavericks, bettering to 7-1 in Boston and an NBA-best 14-4 general.
“I think we were locked in from the beginning,” Tatum stated. “Losing to Chicago made us regroup and refocus.
“We just knew they were a really talented team. Luka is the head of the snake. It was good to come home and get back in the win column.”
It was Tatum’s tenth profession sport with 35 factors and 10 rebounds. He made 11-of-24 from the ground and 13-of-15 from the free throw line.
Both superstars had loads of good phrases to say on the opposite post-match.
“Everybody knows how talented and special he is,” Tatum stated. “He can do so many things on the court. He’s somebody I respect and like competing against.”
The Celtics led 70-49 at halftime and by double figures from late within the first quarter till Doncic sparked a late rally to tug Dallas inside 114-105 with 3:43 remaining.
Al Horford answered with a 3-pointer to ignite a 10-2 Boston run and Dallas by no means got here inside 13 once more.
Elsewhere, Jaylen Brown (31 factors) and Christian Wood (26 factors, 12 boards) had sturdy outings for both aspect.
“It’s always the best. He’s an amazing player. He’s top 10, in the MVP (conversation) … he’s shown he’s not a future face of the league, but he already is, and he’s an amazing player and it’s always fun to play with those kind of guys,” Doncic stated, per ESPN’s Tim Bontemps.
“They’re probably the No. 1 team in the league, and they probably have the best duo in the league, too. “And we’re in the (TD) Garden — it’s always a special game. You have to come 100 per cent. If you’re not, you’re probably going to lose. It’s a big game.”
Daniels talks rookie season! | 01:36
ELSEWHERE …
The Sacramento Kings noticed their seven-game win streak snapped as Trae Young scored 35 factors to guide the host Atlanta Hawks to a 115-106 victory.
Domantas Sabonis had 15 factors, 14 rebounds and 7 assists to spark Sacramento (10-7). Clint Capela pulled down 14 rebounds for the Hawks (11-7).
Donovan Mitchell scored 34 factors to guide the Cleveland Cavaliers over Portland 114-96 and stretch their win streak to 4 video games.
The Cavs improved to 8-1 at residence and 12-6 general as Darius Garland had 24 factors and 12 assists whereas Jarrett Allen added 24 factors and 13 rebounds.
DeMar DeRozan scored 36 factors and added eight assists to guide the Chicago Bulls over host Milwaukee 118-113, dropping the Bucks to 12-5 regardless of 36 factors, 11 rebounds and 7 assists from Greek star Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Colby White and Nikola Vucevic sank back-to-back 3-pointers to present Chicago a 115-109 lead and DeRozan and Patrick Williams sank late free throws to seal the triumph.
Karl-Anthony Towns had 23 factors, 11 rebounds and eight assists whereas Frenchman Rudy Gobert contributed 21 factors and 16 rebounds in Minnesota’s 115-101 victory at Indiana.
Myles Turner scored a game-high 31 factors for the Pacers, whose five-game win streak ended.
Zion Williamson scored 32 factors and grabbed 11 rebounds to energy the New Orleans Pelicans to a 129-110 victory at San Antonio. He shot 14-of-18 from the ground and 4-of-8 from the free throw line.
At Miami, Kyle Lowry scored 28 factors and Caleb Martin had 24 to energy the host Heat over Washington 113-105. Kyle Kuzman had a game-high 33 factors for the Wizards.
Terry Rozier scored 22 factors and P.J. Washington added 19 to spark the Charlotte Hornets over visiting Philadelphia 107-101.
Shake Milton led the 76ers with 22 factors, 9 assists and 7 rebounds. Mason Plumlee and Nick Richards every had 13 rebounds for the Hornets.
The Denver Nuggets rallied from 13 factors down within the fourth quarter to win in extra time at Oklahoma City 131-126.
Nikola Jokic had a game-high 39 factors plus 10 rebounds and 9 assists for Denver and sank two clinching free throws with 8.3 seconds remaining in extra time.
Bruce Brown had a triple double with 17 factors, 13 rebounds and 10 assists for the Nuggets whereas Aaron Gordon had 30 factors for Denver. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 31 factors.
ALL RESULTS
76ERS 101 HORNETS 107
TRAIL BLAZERS 96 CAVALIERS 114
TIMBERWOLVES 115 PACERS 101
KINGS 106 HAWKS 115
MAVERICKS 112 CELTICS 125
WIZARDS 105 HEAT 113
NETS 112 RAPTORS 98
BULLS 118 BUCKS 113
NUGGETS 131 THUNDER 126
PELICANS 129 SPURS 110
PISTONS 121 JAZZ 116
CLIPPERS 107 WARRIORS 124
