Simmons plays key role in Sixers' NBA win

Ben Simmons chalked up his fifth triple double of the season as the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Utah Jazz 114-97.

Ben Simmons (left).

Philadelphia guard Ben Simmons (left) has recorded a triple double in his side's NBA win over Utah. (AAP)

Ben Simmons finished with a triple double to help Philadelphia sweep an NBA season series against Utah.

Simmons had 13 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists as the 76ers beat the Jazz 114-97.

His haul allowed Philadelphia to seal the season series with Utah for second straight season.

It was the fifth time this season the Melbourne-born Simmons has posted a triple double.

Fellow Australian Dante Exum was also an influential figure on court.

Exum returned a season-high 20 points to give the Jazz an edge for much of the second quarter.

But guard Simmons and Mike Muscala scored back-to-back baskets to put the Sixers on top 48-46.

And they expanded the lead to 57-52 on back-to-back baskets from JJ Redick and Simmons in the final 30 seconds before halftime.

Philadelphia didn't cool down in the second half with Joel Embiid finishing just shy of the 3000-point milestone with 23 while collecting 15 rebounds and dishing out six assists.

The Sixers continue their five-game road trip at Portland on Sunday night.

They will face a Trail Blazers side that stole the ball from Stephen Curry when the Golden State Warriors could have run out the clock and Damian Lillard did the rest in a thriller.

Lillard nailed a 3-pointer with 5.1 seconds remaining night for a stunning 110-109 overtime victory in Oakland.

The Warriors' Kevin Durant, completing a night on which he had a triple double, misfired on a 12-footer at the final horn.

Bogdan Bogdanovic made a 3-pointer at the buzzer as the Sacramento Kings rallied in the fourth quarter to beat Los Angeles 117-116.

The Lakers were forced to make do without LeBron James for the first time this season.

James was held out with a groin injury, ending his consecutive games played streak at 156.

The four-time MVP was injured during the Lakers' over two-time defending champion Golden State on Christmas Day.

James Harden matched his career high for 3-pointers allowing the Houston Rockets extended their home-court winning streak to eight consecutive games with a 127-113 victory over the visiting Boston Celtics.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 31 points and 14 rebounds as the Milwaukee Bucks beat the New York Knicks 112-96.


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Source: AAP


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