Ben Simmons top-scores for 76ers in defeat to Raptors

Ben Simmons top-scored with 20 points for Philadelphia but the 76ers slumped to a fourth defeat in a row.

Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons, left, gets the ball away from Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan. Picture: AP

Ben Simmons topscored with 20 points for Philadelphia but a career-high 45 points from DeMar DeRozan led the Toronto Raptors to a 114-109 win in the NBA yesterday.

The Raptors overcame a 22-point deficit to beat the 76ers, who were again without centre Joel Embiid due to a sore back.

Simmons added six rebounds and four assists but had a game-high seven turnovers as the 76ers slumped to their fourth straight defeat. Their win-loss record now stands at 14-17.

The Raptors improved to 22-8, the second-best record in the eastern conference.

Kyle Lowry added 23 points to help the Raptors win their fifth straight while Robert Covington added 19 points and Dario Saric had 18 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists for hosts Philadelphia.

LeBron James scored 34 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Chiago Bulls 115-112 for their 12th straight home success. Kevin Love added 27 while injured point guard Isaiah Thomas moved even closer to his NBA return.

The Cavs won for the 19th time in 21 games and ended Chicago’s seven-game streak.

Michael Beasley scored 28 of his season-high 32 points in the second half to help the New York Knicks shake off a dismal return from Kristaps Porzingis and beat the Boston Celtics 102-93.

Porzingis, who missed the past two games with a sore knee, was 0 for 11 from the field and finished with one point.

The “MVP! MVP!” chants he has heard this season instead went to Beasley, who also had 12 rebounds. Kyrie Irving scored 32 points for the Celtics who have now gone 5-5 in their past 10 games but still lead the east with a 26-9 record.

AP