Nets Rout Sixers in Simmons Return

Before tipoff this game had the atmosphere of a playoff game. The 76ers fans went to boo Ben Simmons but by halftime started booing their own team.

Since the Simmons and James Harden trade this game has been circled on the calendars of all Sixers fans. The heckling of Simmons started as early as when he was leaving his hotel to get on the team bus. Simmons did give a hug to a Sixers official and exchanged a fist bump with coach Doc Rivers but, did not engage with any former teammates.

Early in the first half things got chippy between Sixers star Joel Embiid and Nets star Kevin Durant. After Embiid drew a foul on Durant the two started jawing at each other but nothing escalated.

The boos that was for Simmons slowly turned to boos for their own team. The Sixers were down by 21 by halftime.

Durant dominated putting up 18 of his 25 points in the first half.

“We knew this was a hostile environment. It’s hard to chant Ben Simmons you’re losing by that much.” Durant said.

Seth Curry who was in that trade helped the Nets out with 24 points and five steals. Kyrie Irving put up 22 points as the Nets were looking more like a contender.

On the other side the Sixers looked like they could not handle the atmosphere. Embiid had 27 points and 12 rebounds, but he went 5-17 from the field. Most of his points came from the free throw line as he went 15-19 from the strike.

Harden moved into third all-time on the 3-pointers list passing Reggie Miller. His poor performance was the topic of discussion. He shot 3-17 from the field and only had 11 points.

“We just didn’t have the pop we needed,” Harden said.

The Nets came and showed out for their teammate. They have won two games in a row and are looking to make it three as they host the Knicks Sunday at one.