Simmons and the 76ers visit Brooklyn with 2-1 series lead
Philadelphia 76ers (51-31, third in the Eastern Conference during the regular season) vs. Brooklyn Nets (42-40, sixth in the Eastern Conference during the regular season)
Brooklyn; Saturday, 3 p.m. EDT
EASTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Philadelphia leads series 2-1
BOTTOM LINE: The Philadelphia 76ers visit the Brooklyn Nets in the Eastern Conference first round with a 2-1 lead in the series. The 76ers won the previous meeting 131-115. Ben Simmons scored 31 points to help lead Philadelphia to the win and D'Angelo Russell scored 26 points in defeat for Brooklyn.
The Nets are 8-8 against opponents in the Atlantic Division. Brooklyn ranks fourth in the Eastern Conference with 35.6 defensive rebounds per game, led by Jarrett Allen averaging 6.0.
The 76ers are 31-21 in conference matchups. Philadelphia leads the Eastern Conference with 26.9 assists. Simmons leads the 76ers with 7.7.
TOP PERFORMERS: Russell leads the Nets scoring 21.1 points per game and averaging 3.9 rebounds and 7.0 assists. Caris LeVert has averaged 17.4 points and added 3.7 rebounds while shooting 48.5 percent over the last 10 games for Brooklyn.
Simmons leads the 76ers averaging 7.7 assists while scoring 16.9 points per game. JJ Redick has averaged 17.2 points and collected 1.7 rebounds while shooting 40.4 percent over the last 10 games for Philadelphia.
LAST 10 GAMES: 76ers: 5-5, averaging 118.2 points, 51 rebounds, 26.7 assists, 6.2 steals and 5.9 blocks per game while shooting 47.3 percent from the field. Their opponents have averaged 116.5 points on 46.5 percent shooting.
Nets: 5-5, averaging 114.9 points, 47.6 rebounds, 21.3 assists, 5.9 steals and 2.5 blocks per game while shooting 44.4 percent from the field. Their opponents have averaged 116.1 points on 47.2 percent shooting.
Nets Injuries: Allen Crabbe: out (knee), Ed Davis: day to day (ankle).
76ers Injuries: Joel Embiid: day to day (knee).
