BEN Simmons stunned the NBA with what many pundits are calling the worst game in his basketball career, racking up a mind-boggling 11 turnovers against Toronto.
The Philadelphia star fell just three turnovers shy of Jason Kidd’s all-time record of 14 as the 76ers slumped to a 129-112 throbbing to the Raptors.
The loss continued Philly’s ugly 0-4 streak away from home.
In his favour, the Melbourne-born Simmons narrowly missed a triple-double, finishing with 11 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds. But it wasn’t enough to keep disappointed fans at bay as they tore into the 22-year-old on social media.
Raptors gun Leonard returned after sitting out Monday’s loss at Milwaukee, the second time this season he has been rested in one half of a back-to-back. The two-time Defensive Player of the Year was limited to nine games with San Antonio last season because of a quadriceps injury.
Instant observations from tonight’s #Sixers vs. Raptors game — Ben Simmons had the worst game of his career, and that was enough to sink them https://t.co/mXbiEWxaDv
11 turnovers for Ben Simmons. An absolutely unacceptable performance.
Kawhi just ate Ben Simmons’ lunch.
Ben Simmons has been dreadful tonight. Pressing of late, trying to force it. And of course, won’t shoot, which would open up his entire offensive game
BL?CKA pic.twitter.com/5jBrzJOKcN
Leonard has scored at least 20 in all six games he’s played this season. He shot 10-for-19 against Philadelphia and went 9-for-10 at the free throw line. Embiid cut the deficit to six, 117-111, on a 3-pointer with 3:29 remaining. After a timeout, Toronto responded with a 7-0 run that was capped by a 3 from Leonard with 1:56 left.
Toronto’s home winning streak against the Sixers is the second-longest against a single opponent in franchise history, eclipsedonly by an active 15-game streak against Minnesota.
Valanciunas scored eight points in the first quarter as Toronto led 35-36 after one, and then added seven more in the secondto put the Raptors up 67-53 at halftime.
Leonard scored 11 points in the third and Ibaka had eight as Toronto pulled away, taking a 105-86 lead into the final quarter.
The Sixers fired back in the fourth but the Raptors had already bashed in the final nails to claim a comfortable victory.
SIMMONS LOCKS IN BIG PAYDAY: REPORT
We’re in the money.Source:AFP
Aussie Ben Simmons has scored an $11.5 million payday with the 76ers, according to reports.
Philadelphia has made its decision to exercise it’s option to activate the fourth season of Simmons’ rookie contract — signed after he was selected with the No. 1 pick at the 2016 NBA Draft.
The Sixers’ decision, yet to be confirmed by the team, locks the 22-year-old in through to the end of the 2019-2020 season.
The decision also guarantees Simmons a significant pay rise and a reported salary for next season worth $11.48 million ($US8.1m).
It represents a pay rise of $US1.7 million on the $6.4 million he is earning this season.
— with AP
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