Bayne’s Celtics trump Ben

BEN Simmons put on a show and fell just short of a tripledouble for the Philadelphia 76ers but it was compatriot Aron Baynes and his Boston Celtics who reigned supreme with a 105-87 win in the NBA’s season opener yesterday.

Boston’s second-year forward Jayson Tatum top-scored with 23 points, but Simmons was huge with 19 points, 15 boards, eight assists, four steals and two blocks. Simmons, who beat Tatum for rookie honours last year, duelled throughout the game.

The 22-year-old Australian’s highlight reel included no-look, behind-the-back and off-the-ground passes, slashes to the basket, dunks and a jump hook shot.

But it was Baynes who had the Boston crowd on its feet with his inspirational play off the bench while going head-tohead with 76ers’ All-Star centre Joel Embiid (23 points, 10 rebounds). The Queenslander had eight points, four rebounds and made two three-pointers.

His performance received a rave review from NBA great Charles Barkley who argued Celtics coach Brad Stevens needs to find more court time for the Australian, who only played 19 minutes. “They have to play Aron Baynes more,” Barkley said.

“That is my takeaway. He does all of the dirty work.”

The Celtics’ All-Stars, Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward, who missed the playoffs last year through injury, had seven and 10 points respectively.

The 76ers’ Australian rookie Jonah Bolden was brought on in the final minute.

In Oakland, the Golden State Warriors opened their quest for a three-peat by holding off the Oklahoma City Thunder 108-100.

Warrior captain Stephen Curry had 32 points, nine assists and eight rebounds with Kevin Durant adding 27 points, eight rebounds and six assists of his own. Paul George scored 27 points for the Thunder, who struggled to find an offensive groove while missing star Russell Westbrook because of knee surgery last month. The Thunder trailed by 10 at the break then came out of halftime making 9-of-12 shots to go ahead 69-66 before the Warriors rallied.