BEN Simmons continues to draw comparisons — and match the records — of some of the greatest players in NBA history.
After finishing a few rebounds shy of a triple double in the Rising Stars game at All-Star weekend in Los Angeles, Simmons picked up where he left off as the 76ers resumed their pursuit of a playoff spot in Chicago.
It was again the rebound column where the Aussie star fell short of a triple double, but no one was complaining as he scored a career-high 32 points to go with 11 assists and seven boards in a 116-115 win.
Most crucially Simmons overcame one of the biggest weaknesses in his game — his foul shooting — to hit the game-winning free throws with 5.6 seconds on the clock.
The Sixers took their winning streak to six games after wins against the Wizards, Pelicans, Clippers, Knicks and Heat entering All-Star festivities. They’re now 31-25 and breathing down the neck of the Eastern Conference’s top four.
Simmons was in the thick of the action early as the 76ers charged out of the blocks.
He had eight points, three assists and three rebounds in the opening eight minutes of the game, prompting one Bulls commentator to compare him to LeBron James. “He’s LeBron-like,” the announcer said. “He’s not as physically strong as LeBron, but he does some of the same things as LeBron does.”
Simmons also recorded his 50th block of the season, making him just the third player in the past 50 years to post 100 steals and 50 blocks in the first 55 games of an NBA career.
The others? Former Bulls teammates Michael Jordan and Ron Harper (who did it with Cleveland).
By halftime he already had 15 points, eight assists and four rebounds, leaving him in a great position to push for his third triple double against Chicago this season.
That’s only ever been accomplished by Wilt Chamberlain, per Elias Sports.
Joel Embiid also looked to have gained confidence from his time rubbing shoulders with the NBA’s elite in LA, hitting 3/3 three-pointers on his way to 30 points, 13 rebounds and five assists.
But the Bulls — who got a career-high 38 points from Bobby Portis and strong showings from Zach LaVine (23 points) and David Nwaba (21 points) — made it a thriller, largely on the back of an insanely good night from outside (18/34 threes).
Chicago led 115-110 with 35.4 seconds remaining when the Simmons-led Philly comeback began.
The Aussie tipped in his own miss before Philly got a stop to give themselves a chance to tie the game with 11.3 seconds left.
Chicago fouled JJ Redick, who hit both free throws, and after a Bulls timeout, Embiid stole the in-bound pass. He passed it to Simmons, who was fouled, and the Aussie stepped up in the biggest way.
Having only hit 4/9 free throws to that point he drilled both for a 116-115 lead. The Bulls had one final shot but Portis missed from close range.
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