The Philadelphia 76ers have extended their winning streak to 13 games with an incredible win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The superlatives for point guard Ben Simmons are starting to run out.
Over this 13 game streak, the young Aussie has become one of only two players in history to have ten triple-doubles in their rookie season – the other being Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson
Along with Robertson, Simmons became the second player to ever record over 1200 points, 600 rebounds and 600 assists in their first year of NBA action.
Coming into the game against a red-hot Cavaliers team, that had won ten of their last 11 games, the 76ers jumped their opponents to have a 41-28 lead after the first quarter.
Simmons was playing a cool, composed game, setting up shooters such as JJ Redick and Marco Belinelli on the outside, and pulling off his own highlight with a between-the-legs move in transition before getting into the lane to hammer home a big two-handed dunk.
At halftime, Philly had a 23-point lead, having held LeBron James to only nine points. Simmons was leading the way, with 13 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists.
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Starting the third, the Cavaliers came out aggressive, shooting 71 per cent from the field – including six three-pointers. LeBron turned it on, scoring 19 points as his side scored 43 points to close the gap to seven with a quarter to play.
In the fourth, LeBron added Ersan Ilyasova to list of players he’s put on a poster in the last month – joining Brooklyn’s Joe Harris and Portland’s Jusuf Nurkic – dunking right in the Turk’s face.
With one second left, the Cavs were down by three and LeBron was fouled on a three-pointer. Needing all three to send it to overtime, he missed the second.
Philadelphia knocked off the Cavaliers 132-130, in the process overtaking Cleveland at third in the Eastern Conference.
As for Simmons, he has arrived. The 21-year-old notched up his 12th career triple-double but it was the best and most important of his career to date, finishing with 27 points, 15 rebounds and 13 assists – the highest-scoring triple-double of his career.
He knocked off the Cavaliers, leading the team without All-Star centre Joel Embiid, confirming Simmons as the heir apparent to The King’s throne.
In a postgame interview with broadcaster ESPN, Simmons said of LeBron, “I’ve got so much respect for him. Probably one of the greatest players to ever play, if not the greatest.
“Tonight, I’m playing the best player to play the game, so I mean, that’s enough motivation right there. And that’s where I want to be one day.”
This game would have to stand out as one of the best so far of this crazy NBA season. It was high scoring, filled with highlights, and had an amazing comeback attempt from the Cavaliers who were down by 30 at one point.
But the highlight was the King going toe-to-toe with the prince – two players showcasing their full array of talents.
Ironmonger
Guest
am so excited by the fact there is so much upside to Simmons game...if he starts dropping +30% from the 3 point line - look out!
Jerry
Guest
Yeah, I'd definitely back them to beat Boston at the moment.
express34texas
Guest
With the way the East is playing out and if PHI can maintain the #3 seed, they should make the ECF, which doesn't mean they're really contenders, but I'd think they'd make the ECF with that seed. Regardless of whoever they'd meet in the ECF, probably either TOR or CLE, they'd definitely have a chance against them, but probably lose.
Ryan Geer
Roar Pro
Agreed not ready for Finals yet, but Eastern Conference Finals a good chance depending on who they draw and when Joel Embiid comes back. They are such an exciting team already with great building blocks Simmons and Embiid. Surround them with shooters to go with Redick, Covington, Saric already. Fultz is probably best suited to that sixth man role at the moment, providing a good scoring option off the bench and can lead the second unit. Injuries permitting the sky is the limit for the 76ers.
Jerry
Guest
Philly are such an exciting team. I don't think they're quite ready to get to the finals this year, but next year & going forward look out. With Fultz there for a full season and 6 - that's right SIX - draft picks next year to use on young players and/or trade for role players, they've got the opportunity to build a dynasty. Amazingly, there is still a chance (though only about 1%) of them getting the #1 pick next season....
Ryan Geer
Roar Pro
Exactly, we all know how good a Philly crowd can be they love their sports teams and Simmons is the new star in town. The between the legs and flick out to Redick for the three really got the crowd going. But it was his big two-hand slam in transition which really set them off. They'll be a force in the playoffs especially when they get Embiid back, it will be exciting to see how deep they can go. If they make it past the first round and meet a wounded Boston team I can see them maybe making the Eastern Conference Finals.
Swampy
Guest
How about the Philly crowd? Can't wait for the play-offs. Mental.