SIMMONS SOARS TO HIGH FOR SEASON

WHEELIN’ and dealin’ Ben Simmons has dished out an Nets’ equal-season-high nine first-half assists as Brooklyn extended its win streak to 12 with a franchise-record annihilation of San Antonio.

The Aussie also reached 500 career steals with three thefts in front of French FIFA World Cup finalist Kylian Mbappe, who was courtside at the Barclays Centre during the 139-103 win.

The 36-point win was the Nets’ biggest-ever over the Spurs, eclipsing the previous high margin of 26, which came back in 1993.

While Simmons still showed a mild allergy to putting the ball in the hoop, it isn’t so much of a problem with two of the best scorers on the planet in Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving alongside him.

The 26-year-old’s nine firsthalf assists equalled Durant’s November mark against the Knicks.

And his work on the defensive end helped the Nets stifle any hope the Spurs had of a comeback.

“Ben was doing a good job getting everyone involved and it was a team effort tonight,” Nets guard Seth Curry said, post-game.

Simmons finished with four points, nine assists and three steals, while Aussie teammate and former Spur Patty Mills had a quiet night off the bench with two points and four assists.

Irving poured in 21 of his game-high 27 points in the first half.

His haul included a highlight reel tip jam, part of a 14-0 run, and the game was basically over at the long break as the Nets leapt out to a 27-point lead.

Durant had 25 and 11 assists in the demolition.

It was the fifth time this season the Nets had shot better than 60 per cent from the field — a franchise record — and they have won 16 of their last 17. Brooklyn now needs two more wins to equal its alltime mark of 14 consecutive victories, which it has achieved twice previously.