PHILADELPHIA — Those that confirmed as much as boo and curse out inactive former 76ers star Ben Simmons went residence depressing over what transpired on the court docket, too, courtesy of a dominant two-way efficiency by Kevin Durant and the Nets.
Brooklyn’s holdover stars silenced a venomous Wells Fargo Middle crowd that loudly chanted “F–ok Ben Simmons” a number of instances — earlier than redirecting its anger in direction of the house crew. The Nets cruised to a blowout win Thursday over misfiring James Harden and the Sixers, 129-100, within the first assembly for the reason that blockbuster commerce between the groups one month in the past.
“It was atmosphere to begin, but it surely didn’t end that manner,” Durant mentioned. “It didn’t really feel like that after we left the court docket. It felt like a daily sport, like I’ve been saying.
“However I appreciated how we approached the sport, and performed with physicality and didn’t let any of that stuff have an effect on what we needed to do. The gang, regardless of who we performed tonight, I felt like we have been locked in.”
Durant netted 25 factors by three quarters on 10-for-17 capturing with 14 rebounds and Kyrie Irving adopted up his 50-piece earlier this week in Charlotte with 22 factors and 5 assists because the Nets nudged again above the .500 mark (34-33) with their second straight street victory.
“Guys rose to the event, we received a second win in a row, and let’s see if we will hold constructing,” Nets coach Steve Nash mentioned. “I feel it’s nice for our confidence. We’ve had such a tough stretch right here with accidents and we’re attempting to place this factor collectively and construct some cohesion.
“It brings everybody collectively a little bit bit and provides us perception and confidence in what we’re attempting to do.”
MVP candidate Joel Embiid paced Philadelphia (40-25) with 27 factors and 12 boards — together with 15 of 19 from the free-throw line. However Harden — largely guarded by Irving — clanked 12 of his first 13 photographs within the opening half and shot 3-for-17 general for 11 factors.
Each 76ers stars completed with a minus-30 score of their first loss in six video games since Harden was acquired on Feb. 10.
“We received our [butt] kicked,” Harden mentioned.
“It was beautiful. I loved it,” Irving mentioned of the win. “It’s nice for our league when you possibly can construct up that many feelings on an evening like tonight. I felt like we dedicated ourselves to enjoying aggressive protection. … While you step foot in an atmosphere like this, we knew there have been going to be high-intense followers and needed to relish in it.”
The 25-year-old Simmons confirmed as much as take his lumps from his former followers after requesting a commerce from the Sixers final summer season. He sat out all season earlier than final month’s deadline deal, whereas additionally citing psychological well being considerations as a motive for staying away. The three-time All-Star nonetheless must ramp up his conditioning after additionally coping with again soreness for the reason that commerce.
“You come at Ben,” Irving mentioned, “you come at us.”
The sport clearly had a playoff really feel from even earlier than the opening tipoff, with Sixers legends Julius Erving and Allen Iverson amongst these in attendance. Dr. J even clanged the reproduction Liberty Bell earlier than the sport.
Barely one minute into the sport, the house crowd broke into its first of a number of loud “F–ok Ben Simmons” chants, however Durant zipped down the lane and yelled one thing at Iverson and Erving following an emphatic dunk. Irving additionally buried a few early 3-pointers, and each stars netted 11 factors within the first quarter because the Nets raced out to a 40-23 lead.
In the meantime, Harden nailed just one shot within the quarter, but it surely was a 3-pointer to surpass Reggie Miller and transfer into third place on the all-time record, behind solely Stephen Curry and Ray Allen.
Brooklyn led by as many as 24 within the second quarter and shot a scorching 64.1 % from the ground in carrying a 72-51 lead into intermission with the cushion prolonged to 32 by the tip of the third.
“We take a look at Ben as our brother,” Durant mentioned of Simmons. “We knew this was a hostile atmosphere … but it surely’s laborious so that you can chant at Ben Simmons while you’re dropping by that a lot.”
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