Sixers rout Mavs to overtake Cavs in Eastern Conference

LOS ANGELES, USA – Ben Simmons scored 16 points as the Philadelphia 76ers routed the Dallas Mavericks to extended their winning streak to 14 games in the Eastern Conference playoff race on Sunday, April 8.

Australian star Simmons finished with 9 assists and 7 rebounds as the Sixers cruised to a 109-97 victory to move one win clear of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the standings.

The Sixers and the Cavs are locked in a duel for the 3rd seed spot in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, with Philadelphia now at 50-30 for the season, ahead of Cleveland, who are 4th with 49-31.

Philadelphia is now assured of at least a top-4 finish in the East after Sunday’s victory at the Wells Fargo Center.

The win also guarantees Philadelphia home court advantage for the start of the playoffs.

“To win 50 games with two games remaining, 14 in a row, to secure home court advantage is fantastic,” Sixers head coach Brett Brown said.

“Our season has been exceptional. The group has continued to improve and those things are that I will remember the most. There is a toughness to our group.”

With the injured Joel Embiid close to a return, the Sixers will enter the postseason brimming with confidence after another impressive win.

Simmons was one of 5 Sixers players to make double figures, with JJ Redick leading the scoring for the home team with 18 points.

Simmons was satisfied to reach 50 wins for the season, two years after the Sixers finished with a dismal 10-72 record at the foot of the Eastern Conference.

“It’s huge for the team,” Simmons said. “It shows how far we’ve come for the season. 

“I think we’ve pushed through the tough times and I think we’re getting a lot better over time… It’s been very enjoyable. It’s better when you’re winning.”

Harrison Barnes led the scoring for the Mavs with 21 points, with Dennis Smith Jr adding 20 points and Dwight Powell 13.

In other early games on Sunday, the Indiana Pacers are one game behind Cleveland after overpowering the Charlotte Hornets 123-117 on the road.

Domantis Sabonis led the scoring for the Pacers with 30 points from the bench, while Victor Oladipo had 27 points. The Pacers improved to 48-33 with the victory.

Elsewhere in the East, second-placed Boston suffered an upset 112-106 loss to bottom team Atlanta at the TD Garden.

It was a 3rd defeat in 4 games for the Celtics, who are battling an injury crisis as they head into the playoffs. 

Big game for Taurean Prince (33 pts, 8 reb, 6 ast) to lead the @ATLHawks to the 112-106 W!

Tatum: 19 PTS
Monroe: 17 PTS pic.twitter.com/xUHkcdHjg3

— NBA (@NBA) April 8, 2018

The Celtics were rocked this week after it was confirmed star Kyrie Irving would miss the remainder of the season after complications from knee surgery. – Rappler.com