Basketball – The Nets had a message to send

Kevin Durant may have said the opposite in the press room – “it’s only a regular season victory, we did not win the title or secure our place in the play-off” – there was much more in play, Thursday, in Philadelphia as the clear victory of the Nets against the Sixers (129-100).

Because the NBA microcosm and the players concerned have been anxiously awaiting this clash of the Eastern Conference since that resounding trade which sent superstar James Harden to Pennsylvania while Ben Simmons went back to Brooklyn.

The latter, in civilian clothes because not yet fit to play according to the official version, however wanted to accompany his comrades to his old home. Left cold with Joel Embiid and angry with the fans, the Australian rear was greeted with a barrage of boos. As expected.

A few hours later, the Sixers public finally turned against their own players, after a tasteless performance. Untenable during the 1st quarter, Joel Embiid finished with 27 points but 5/17 in shooting, barely better than his friend James Harden (11 points at 3/17).

The ex-back of the Nets went through hell, especially in the first half, when he was defended by a Kyrie Irving anxious to mark his territory at the four corners of the floor (22 points). Former Sixer Seth Curry added 24 units and Kevin Durant 24 with 14 rebounds and 7 assists.

“Ben is like a brother and we knew he was arriving in a hostile environment without having the opportunity to play, reacted “KD”. We wanted to focus on what was happening on the court and not around it. It’s hard to sing against Ben Simmons when you’re down that many points.”