Ben down, but lifts in critical closing stages

IT was not a great Christmas Day for Australia’s rising NBA superstar, Ben Simmons, but his team won.

Simmons struggled offensively and finished with only eight points as his Philadelphia 76ers snapped their seasonhigh five-game losing streak in a 105-98 win over the New York Knicks.

Centre Joel Embiid returned to lead the way for the 76ers with 25 points and 16 rebounds, while J.J. Redick added 24 points with four three-pointers.

Simmons had a crucial steal and breakaway dunk with one minute, six seconds left, jumping in front of a Kristaps Porzingis pass and taking it the other way to give the 76ers an eight-point cushion.

He then forced a turnover on New York’s next pos- session, and Philadelphia was able to juice the clock late.

Kevin Durant delivered at both ends as the Golden State Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 99-92.

Durant, the finals MVP six months ago, finished with 25 points, seven rebounds and five blocked shots while also filling a requested role defending against fellow superstar LeBron James.

After teammate Klay Thompson hit a go-ahead three-pointer with 1:33 left, Durant’s block against a driving James with 24.5 seconds left went to official review and was ruled clean, ending Cleveland’s winning chances.

“There’s just so much joy in the arena today because it’s Christmas and we all feed off of that,” Durant said.

In another Christmas Day clash, the Washington Wizards defeated Boston 111-103.