A Ben Simmons triple-double fuelled the Philadelphia 76ers’ 110-103 NBA upset of Kawhi Leonard and his Los Angeles Clippers.
The 23-year-old Australian-American forward finished with 26 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists at the Philadelphia‘s Wells Fargo Center Tuesday.
It was his sixth triple-double of the season and the 30th of his career. But of more immediate importance, this 3rd-straigh win helped Philadelphia retain a proud record.
They have now won more home games this season (25-2) than anyone else. With a 34-21 overall record this season they are sitting in 5th place on the Eastern Conference table
Josh Richardson scored 17 of his 21 points in the final quarter, while Joel Embiid contributed 26
Leonard collected 30 points, but Harden picked up 42
On the opposite side of the court Clippers superstar Leonard collected 30 points for the visitors but it wasn’t enough. They fell to 37-17 in wins against losses and are in third place in the Western Conference.
Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets, playing at home, snapped the Boston Celtics’ seven-game winning streak without being able to win. Prodigious point poacher James Harden picked up 42 more points and Russell Westbrook wasn’t too far behind.
He grabbed 36 with 10 rebounds as the Rockets trumped the Celtics 116-105. Gordon Hayward top scored with 20 points for the Celtics but it couldn’t stop the Rockets ending a run of back-to-back losses.
Boston (37-16) remains third in the Eastern Conference. The Rockets are further back in 5th place in the Western Conference standings
Star rookie Zion Williamson produced yet another dominant performance. This time he posted a season-high 31 points and nine rebounds in just 28 minutes. This as the New Orleans Pelicans whipped the Portland Trail Blazers 138-117.
Zach LaVine also put up 41 points but the Chicago Bulls nevertheless lost 126-114 to the Washington Wizards team led by Bradley Beal’s 30.
Tuesday’s NBA results
Philadelphia 76ers 110-103 Los Angeles Clippers
Washington Wizards 126-114 Chicago Bulls
New Orleans Pelicans 138-117 Portland Trail Blazers
San Antonio Spurs 114-106 Oklahoma City Thunder
Houston Rockets 116-105 Boston Celtics
Raptors at Nets
Riding a franchise-record winning streak, NBA champions the Toronto Raptors (40-14) will look to make it 16 straight victories when they visit the Brooklyn Nets (24-28) on Wednesday.
The NBA’s Conference front-runners, the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers are also in action.