Big Ben answers taunts in style

AUSTRALIAN Ben Simmons has punished the Brooklyn Nets after one of their players called him “average”, while Andrew Bogut has made a triumphant return to the Golden State Warriors’ starting NBA line-up.

Simmons was a man on a mission, scoring 31 points and spearheading the Philadelphia 76ers to a 131-115 demolition of the Brooklyn Nets in Game 3 of their best-of-seven play-off series.

The win in Brooklyn gave the 76ers a 2-1 series lead.

“I think it was one of Ben’s most dominant games,” coach Brett Brown said.

Simmons’ offensive and defensive masterclass came after Nets’ bench player Jared Dudley described him as an “average” player when restricted to playing in the half-court.

“I really don’t have energy for it,” Simmons, refusing to discuss whether Dudley’s comments inspired him to seek revenge, told reporters after the game. On the court Simmons was not so evasive. He also had nine assists, four rebounds, three blocks and two steals.

The 76ers’ Tobias Harris dropped 29 points and 16 rebounds and JJ Redick added 26 points.

The 76ers’ win came with All-Star centre Joel Embiid sitting out with a lingering sore left knee. Game 4 is in Brooklyn tomorrow morning.

Bogut’s Warriors steamrolled the Los Angeles Clippers 132-105 in LA to take a 2-1 lead in their series.

Bogut had eight points, five assists and 14 rebounds from 25 minutes on court. He was inserted into the starting line-up after Warriors’ All-Star big man DeMarcus Cousins suffered a likely season-ending quad injury in Game 2. Kevin Durant top-scored for the Warriors with 38 points.

Patty Mills’ San Antonio Spurs also bounced back from their recent capitulation to beat the Denver Nuggets and take a 2-1 play-off series lead.

The Spurs convincingly won Game 3 in San Antonio 118-108, a stark change from Wednesday’s Game 2 when they lost after holding a late 19point lead.

Spurs’ guard Derrick White had a career-defining night with 36 points and DeMar Rozan added 25 points.