Ben Simmons rides boos bus to help Brooklyn Nets beat his former club Phildelphia
![Brooklyn Nets' Ben Simmons (right) competes with Philadelphia 76ers' Jaden Springer. (AP PHOTO)](https://images.thenightly.com.au/publication/C-13463689/1fb6554b2f38dbbe703956208b28d4372160d8aa-16x9-x0y0w1280h720.jpg?imwidth=810)
Ben Simmons was given a hostile reception by Philadelphia fans, but the Aussie superstar had the last laugh when his Brooklyn Nets won their NBA clash against the 76ers by 15 points.
Simmons, a former Sixer, played two games in Philadelphia last season and the fans showed their disapproval both times, booing him whenever he had a possession.
The three-time All-Star was once again booed every time he touched the ball during the 136-121 victory at the Wells Fargo Center on Sunday (AEDT).
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Despite the less than welcoming reception from the older members of the Philadelphia fan base, a classy Simmons was spotted pre-game signing autographs for young Sixers supporters.
Cam Thomas scored 40 points and Mikal Bridges had 23 for Brooklyn.
Philadelphia were without Joel Embiid, the reigning NBA MVP who missed his second game with a left meniscus injury.
Lonnie Walker IV added 20 points to help Brooklyn win for the third time in four games after losing 10 of 12.
Two nights after scoring a career-high 51 points at Utah, Tyrese Maxey had 23 points for Philadelphia.
In Atlanta, Stephen Curry scored a season-high 60 points in Golden State’s 141-134 overtime loss to Atlanta, with Trae Young scoring 35 points to help the Hawks outlast the Warriors.
Curry had eight points in overtime to finish only two points shy of his career high of 62 at home against Portland on January 3, 2021.
Dejounte Murray scored the last seven points in an 11-0 run to open the overtime for Atlanta and finished with 19 points.
Onyeka Okongwu had a career-high 22 points and a season-high 16 rebounds.
In Dallas, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 48 points and Damian Lillard added 30 to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 129-117 victory over the hosting Dallas Mavericks.
Australian Josh Green did his best for the home side, contributing 20 points, nine rebounds and three assists.
Luka Doncic led the way for the Mavericks with 40 points.
The Bucks’ victory was their first under new coach Doc Rivers.
In New York, LeBron James scored 24 points as the Los Angeles Lakers pulled away down the stretch to beat New York 113-105, snapping the Knicks’ nine-game winning streak.
In Chicago, Domantas Sabonis had a triple-double and De’Aaron Fox scored 41 points to help Sacramento hold off the Bulls 123-115.
Sabonis had 13 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists in his 14th triple-double of the season and No.46 for his career.
Coby White scored 26 points for the depleted Bulls.
And in San Antonio, Donovan Mitchell scored 31 points and Evan Mobley had 28 points and 10 rebounds as the Cleveland Cavaliers routed the San Antonio Spurs 117-99.
- with Reuters, Fox Sport