Last week: Beat Utah 103-94 Monday, lost at Washington 119-113 Thursday, beat Cleveland 141-94 Saturday
This week: Sunday vs. Toronto, Tuesday vs. Denver, Thursday at Boston, Friday vs. New Orleans
The Philadelphia 76ers, in their pasting of the Cavaliers on Saturday, recorded their largest margin of victory — 47 points — since beating the Hawks 132-85 on Dec. 8, 1982. The Philadelphia-era record is 54 points, accomplished in a 141-87 win over Cleveland on Nov. 2, 1970. The franchise mark is 62 points, set by the Syracuse Nationals over the Knicks on Christmas Day in 1960.
Ben Simmons had himself a game on Saturday, scoring a career-high 34 points to go with seven assists in just 26 minutes. On the week. Simmons put up 21.7 points, 8.7 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 3.0 steals in 31.8 minutes a game, shooting 77.1 percent overall and making his second career 3-pointer in the rout of the Cavs.
Last week: Won at New York 113-104 Sunday, beat Miami 112-93 Wednesday, beat Denver 108-95 Friday
Next week: Monday vs. Cleveland, Wednesday at Indiana, Thursday vs. Philadelphia
The Boston Celtics put together a 3-0 week and have now won five of their last six games since a stretch of three losses in four games. This week could be a challenge, as the Celtics will have one of those odd road-home back-to-backs, where they will face the 76ers — who will already be in Boston waiting for them — on Thursday after playing at Indiana the night before.
Kemba Walker led the Celtics past the Heat on Wednesday with 28 points and seven assists, but it was third-year forward Jayson Tatum who had a terrific week, averaging 25.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.7 blocks in 33.7 minutes per game. He shot 42.6 percent overall and 35.5 percent on 10.3 attempts from deep per game.