Simmons Back In Nets apos; NBA Win Over Hawks

Ben Simmons has returned to NBA action after just under a fortnight out with injury to help Brooklyn to a 120-116 home win over Atlanta.
Having missed four matches with a calf complaint, the Australian was back in the Nets' starting five at centre on Friday night in New York and played just shy of 21 minutes for six points, seven rebounds, six assists and four steals.
Brooklyn were led by Kevin Durant with 34 points and a double-double from Kyrie Irving (33 points, 11 rebounds) to improve their season record to 15-12 and fifth in the Eastern Conference.
"We know we've got a long way to go," Simmons said.
"A lot of guys have been in and out of the rotation obviously so it's changing a lot, but we're just staying focused and we're building day by day."
Trae Young top-scored with 33 points for the Hawks while Bogdan Bogdanovic had 31, including 7-of-9 from three-point range.
In New Orleans, the Pelicans won the battle of Western Conference big guns against Phoenix 128-117.
Zion Williamson scored 35 points, Jose Alvarado added 20 off the bench and the Pels (17-8) had another four players in double figures for scoring to cement their sixth straight victory and 10th in 12 games.
Aussies Jock Landale (nine points) and pinfaves.com Dyson Daniels (four points) had quiet nights and will face off against each other again on Sunday.
Compatriot Josh Green scored eight points and Luka Doncic 33 as the Dallas Mavericks fell 106-105 at home to the league-leading Milwaukee Bucks (19-6).
Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo had 28 points and 10 boards, but a Brook Lopez alley-oop sealed the win with 7.8 seconds left.
A thrilling finish also in Philadelphia with the hosts dramatically pushed to overtime by the Los Angeles Lakers before prevailing 133-122.
The Sixers led by 18 points in the fourth quarter and by nine with 30 seconds of regulation remaining, but it ended level at 120.
"We will take the win," 76ers coach Doc Rivers said.
"Usually when you give up a lead like that, to gather yourself and play well in overtime is rare."
Joel Embiid had a game-high 38 points and 12 boards and De'Anthony Melton scored a career-high 33 points off the bench on 8-of-12 from beyond the arc.
Boomers star Matisse Thybulle's first three buckets were slam dunks on his way to nine points in 14 minutes.
Russell Westbrook had a triple-double (12 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists) and Anthony Davis a double-double (31 points, 12 rebounds) for LA, while Austin Reaves and LeBron James combined for 48.
Elsewhere there were wins for New York, Minnesota, Indiana, Orlando, Memphis and Sacramento.
With agencies.


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