Ben Simmons was again from harm and attacking the rim however his triple-double couldn’t stop the Brooklyn Nets struggling a 3rd straight NBA loss with out injured famous person Kevin Durant.
With fellow large gun Kyrie Irving (calf) additionally dominated out shortly earlier than the sport, the visiting Nets went down 106-98 to the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night time.
Recently on the cusp of main the japanese convention standings, the Nets (27-16) have dropped each recreation since Durant suffered a sprained MCL in his proper knee.
Simmons did his finest to step up with 10 factors, 11 assists, 10 rebounds, 4 steals and two blocks.
The Australian was returning after lacking a recreation as a result of again soreness.
In the sport previous to that break he had break up opinion with a outstanding stat line of zero factors, 13 assists, 9 rebounds, two steals and a block.
Simmons tried simply three photographs in that recreation however was the one Nets participant boasting a constructive factors differential whereas on the courtroom in a snug loss.
Slammed by Shaquille O’Neal for “not even looking at the basket” then, Simmons was way more all for scoring in San Antonio, creating 10 area objective makes an attempt and making each free throws.
He opened the scoring with a driving hook after 23 seconds of motion and was two-of-five after a collection of spin strikes and drives ended with most of his photographs rolling off the rim.
The offensive void couldn’t be crammed although, the Nets now 5 video games behind convention leaders Boston in fourth.
In Milwaukee Joe Ingles loved certainly one of his most efficient NBA video games since getting back from a torn ACL because the Bucks once more discovered a technique to win with out Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The 35-year-old Australian veteran began on the bench however performed 31 minutes in a 130-122 victory over the visiting Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night time.
He missed simply certainly one of 5 photographs in a 15 level, eight help and 6 rebound clinic.
With Antetokounmpo lacking a fourth recreation as a result of a knee harm, Jrue Holliday (season-high 37 factors, seven assists) was once more the star flip.
Joel Embiid (41 factors, 9 rebounds) had his eighth 40-plus level recreation of the season as Philadelphia received on the highway, 120-110 towards the Los Angeles Clippers to maneuver to outright third within the east.
And in Denver fellow MVP contender Nikola Jokic erupted with 36 factors, 12 rebounds and 10 assists because the Nuggets beat Portland 122-113.
That was regardless of a 44-point haul from Damian Lillard, who additionally had eight assists.
