Ben Simmons’ 76ers no match for Kyrie Irving’s Celtics

KYRIE Irving sparkled as the NBA-leading Boston Celtics fought off a spirited challenge from the Joel Embiid-less 76ers.

Boston Celtics' Jaylen Brown grabs a loose ball past fallen Philadelphia 76ers' Ben Simmons. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)

THERE’S no rest for the best in the NBA.

Ben Simmons played his third game in four days — against the three best Eastern Conference teams from last season — as the 76ers went down 108-97 to the Boston Celtics on Friday.

After a blowout defeat to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Sixers responded with a home win against the Washington Wizards.

They backed up today against the conference-leading Celtics without star centre Joel Embiid, who was rested.

That meant a heavier load for Simmons, who finished with 15 points, seven assists, six rebounds and five steals in 39 minutes.

He was no match for opposition point guard Kyrie Irving, who poured in 36 points, including 5/8 threes, to prove the difference. Al Horford was also prolific on his way to 21 points, eight rebounds and five assists, while Marcus Morris (17 points) and Jayson Tatum (15 points) played well.

Dario Saric led the Sixers with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

.@BenSimmons25 starting to perfect the baby hook. 👀 pic.twitter.com/Q1QDOYbMDr

— NBA TV (@NBATV) December 1, 2017

Simmons was active early, sitting with four points, two assists, one rebound and one steal with 4:23 remaining in the first. Boston led 28-22 after the first stanza as Irving (11 points) and Horford (11 points) both started 4/5 from the field.

The young Aussie continued to lead his team, taking his totals to eight points and three assists as they trailed 34-30 with 7:36 remaining in the second.

Irving continued to hurt the Sixers going into the halftime break, racking up 20 points. Tatum slotted a slick three-pointer in the dying seconds of the half to bring the score to 54-44 in the Celtics’ favour.

Philly closed to 60-56 in the third before a pair of missed free throws by Saric killed their momentum. Irving took his total to 27 points with a three-pointer soon after.

Boston Celtics' Kyrie Irving reacts after being hit in the mouth early in the first quarter. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

But the Sixers took a shock 66-65 lead on a Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot three to raise the possibility of an upset.

Boston reeled off a 9-0 run to re-establish a lead but Philly was still well and truly alive with the score at 76-71 with a quarter to play. Simmons had nine points, six assists and five steals.

The Sixers closed to 78-75 on a Simmons’ reverse jam early in the fourth.

Ben Simmons cleans up the miss with the reverse jam on @NBATV! pic.twitter.com/CItDe2I9Eq

— NBA (@NBA) December 1, 2017

But with Robert Covington continuing his ice-cold recent form from long-range (he’s 4/24 across Philadelphia’s past three outings), Boston kicked back out to 86-78.

Irving hit 36 points late in the fourth as the Celtics cruised to a 103-90 advantage with 1:25 remaining.