Los Angeles: Ben Simmons scored 16 points as the Philadelphia 76ers routed the Dallas Mavericks to extend their winning streak to 14 games in the Eastern Conference play-off race on Sunday.
Australian star Simmons finished with nine assists and seven 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 third seed spot in the Eastern Conference play-off picture, with Philadelphia now at 50-30 for the season, ahead of Cleveland, who are fourth with 49-31.
Philadelphia are now assured of at least a top-four 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 play-offs.
“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.”
