Simmons makes big impact in limited minutes for Nets’ win
Ben Simmons had 10 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds in his return from a 38-game absence, Mikal Bridges added 33 points and the Brooklyn Nets routed the Utah Jazz 147114 on Monday night.
Simmons hadn’t played since Nov. 6 because of a pinched nerve in his lower back. The No. 1 pick in the 2016 draft played 18 minutes off the bench, made all five shots and likely would have had a triple-double if not for a minutes restriction.
Keyonte George scored 21 points for the Jazz.
TIMBERWOLVES 107, THUNDER 101
Anthony Edwards scored 27 points and Minnesota beat Oklahoma City to take sole possession of the top spot in the Western Conference.
Karl-anthony Towns had 21 points and 10 rebounds, and Rudy Gobert added 12 points and 17 rebounds for Minnesota.
Shai Gilgeous-alexander scored 37 points and Jalen Williams added 20 for the Thunder.
There were 11 lead changes in the fourth quarter.
SUNS 118, HEAT 105
Eric Gordon scored 23 points, Devin Booker had 22 and Phoenix handed Miami its seventh consecutive loss.
Kevin Durant scored 20 and Bradley Beal had 19 for the Suns.
Jimmy Butler scored 26 points for Miami. It’s the first seven-game skid for Heat coach Erik Spoelstra.
CAVALIERS 118, CLIPPERS 108
Donovan Mitchell had 28 points and 12 assists and Jarrett Allen extended his double-double streak to 15 straight games, leading Cleveland past Los Angeles.
Kawhi Leonard scored 30 points for the Clippers, who got within four in the final two minutes but fell to 2-1 on a season-long sevengame trip.
KNICKS 113, HORNETS 92
Jalen Brunson scored 32 points, Donte Divincenzo added 28 and New York kept rolling without the injured Julius Randle, beating Charlotte for its seventh straight victory.
Brandon Miller scored 29 points and Miles Bridges had 21 points and 10 rebounds for the Hornets.
CELTICS 118, PELICANS 112
Jayson Tatum scored 12 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter and Boston rallied past New Orleans.
Brandon Ingram led New Orleans with 28 points and Zion Williamson finished with 26 points.
KINGS 103, GRIZZLIES 94
Domantas Sabonis had a career-high 26 rebounds along with 20 points, De’aaron Fox scored 23 points and Sacramento rallied past Memphis.
Jaren Jackson Jr. led the Grizzlies with 22 points.
ROCKETS 135, LAKERS 119
Jalen Green scored 34 points and Alperen Sengun added 31 as Houston beat Los Angeles.
Lebron James, Anthony Davis and D’angelo Russell scored 23 points apiece for the Lakers.
WIZARDS 118, SPURS 113
Kyle Kuzma had 18 points and 11 rebounds, Daniel Gafford added 16 points and 13 boards, and Washington rallied past San Antonio to win consecutive games for the first time this season.
Devin Vassell scored 24 points and Victor Wembanyama had 22 points and 11 rebounds for the Spurs.
MAVERICKS 131, MAGIC 129
Luka Doncic scored 45 points and converted 18 of 21 free throws to lead Dallas over Orlando.
Tim Hardaway Jr. added 36 points for the Mavericks.
Paolo Banchero had 36