the Sixers’ 5-2 start to the season and remains in limbo, having failed to secure an off-season trade with four years left on his massive contract. The prospect of a Lillard-Simmons swap is unlikely, and even more so the longer the Australian sits out in a situation that is driving down his trade value.
The understrength 76ers weren’t bothered by the ongoing Simmons saga or his absence as they posted a 113-103 win over Portland – their third consecutive victory – behind 23 points from Seth Curry. From the tip they were also without centre Joel Embiid (rested) and Tobias Harris, who was sidelined due the NBA’s health and safety protocols, while Danny Green (hamstring tightness) left the game late in the third period.
Andre Drummond stepped up with 14 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists and five steals, while Georges Niang added 21 points and Boomers favourite Matisse Thybulle had two points and three steals. Lillard heard home fans’ chants of “we want Lillard” from the stands and finished with a double-double, with 20 points and 10 assists to go with seven rebounds.
Josh Giddey’s stocks rose again with 15 points, seven assists and five rebounds despite the Clippers running down his Oklahoma City Thunder 99-94. Chasing a second win this season, the Thunder controlled the contest behind 28 points from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and some lock-down defence on a Clippers unit missing Kawhi Leonard.
Giddey scored eight final-quarter points in a tasty back-and-forth with seven-time All-Star Paul George (32 points, nine rebounds and seven assists), who had the final say with back-to-back triples to help reel in a seven-point deficit with three minutes to play.
Australian centre Jock Landale was a perfect 4-of-4 from the field as his San Antonio Spurs were on the receiving end of a 131-118 defeat to the Indiana Pacers, who had lost their previous four games. Landale saw less than six minutes of court time late in the game but managed 10 points, one rebound and one assist, while Domantas Sabonis had 24 points and 13 rebounds for the Pacers. Elsewhere OG Anunoby scored a career-high 36 points and the Toronto Raptors won their fourth straight by beating the New York Knicks 113-104.
DeMar DeRozan scored 37 points as Chicago beat Boston 128-114, the Celtics thumped 39-11 in the final quarter while LaMelo Ball’s 30 points were in vain as Cleveland beat Charlotte 113-110. Atlanta beat Washington 118-111, Memphis trumped Denver 106-97 and Orlando Magic improved to 2-6 with a 115-97 defeat of the Timberwolves.
