Simmons pips Mills in Aussies' NBA battle

Ben Simmons and Philadelphia claimed victory over Patty Mills' San Antonio as the two Australian stars top-scored in the NBA match.

Ben Simmons

76ers' Ben Simmons scores against Spurs in his first head-to-head with fellow Aussie Patty Mills. (AAP)

Ben Simmons claimed honours over Patty Mills in a high-scoring battle of the Australian NBA guards as Philadelphia were victorious 112-106 over San Antonio.

Both players had a game-high 26 points in a mouth-watering display by the two likely 2020 Tokyo Olympians, with Boomers veteran Mills coming off the Spurs bench to register a season high on Wednesday.

The experienced Mills showed his composure with a three-pointer to give the visitors a one-point lead with 2.49 minutes remaining.

But the 76ers rallied and rookie Simmons, who also contributed five rebounds, four assists and three steals, helped secure the result with a clever cut and dunk 21 seconds from full-time for the match-winning margin.

Mills benefited from star Tony Parker being rested but his highest points tally since April 2014 was limited by shooting four-from-11 three-pointers.

It was the 20th time this season Mills has gone double-digit scoring as the Spurs continue to get healthy bodies back in the lineup.

"I knew what I was getting into when I re-signed back for another four years," Mills told ESPN's website.

"It's more than just numbers with what I'm trying to bring now.

"I'm a leader, and a leader of a group that's trying to push the Spurs' culture on to the next generation.

"Whatever my numbers are is beside the point, because this is a big-picture thing and the organisation has been successful for a long time so we gotta make sure it keeps moving forward."

Simmons was well supported by centre Joel Embiid with 21 points and 11 rebounds, while guard JJ Redick had 20 points to improve the 76ers' record to 18-19 with the home victory.

The 76ers are one spot outside the playoff cut-off, while the Spurs sit third in the Western conference.

Meanwhile Terry Rozier scored 20 points in 20 minutes, stealing the spotlight from LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Isaiah Thomas as he led the Boston Celtics to a 102-88 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in a rematch of the Eastern Conference finals.

Rozier scored the last eight Boston points of the first quarter to give the Celtics an 11-point lead, and had another eight in a row midway through the fourth when they expanded the lead to 21.

For Cleveland it was their fourth loss in five games.

In Dallas, Stephen Curry hit a long three-pointer with three seconds to play, sending the Golden State Warriors to a 125-122 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

Curry finished with 32 points as Golden State's 'Big Four' combined for 100 points - and the Warriors needed every one of them against a Mavericks team that had won four straight.

Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson had 25 points each, and Draymond Green added 18 to go with 10 rebounds.

Elsewhere, Kelly Olynyk scored 25 points and Goran Dragic added 24 as Miami held off Detroit 111-104, whileGary Harris scored 28 of his 36 points in the first half and the Denver Nuggets used a big third quarter to beat the Phoenix Suns 134-111.

In Salt Lake City, Anthony Davis had 29 points and 15 rebounds as the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Utah Jazz 108-98.

A James Harden-less Houston routed Orlando Magic 116-98, while Washington beat New York 121-103.


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Source: AAP



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