By Joel Bartilotta
RotoWire
Johnathon Simmons scored a Utah Summer League-record 35 points as the San Antonio Spurs withstood a furious fourth-quarter rally Tuesday to defeat the Philadelphia 76ers, 95-91, at Vivint Smart Home Arena.
The Spurs led, 85-65, early in the fourth quarter before the 76ers went on a 20-4 run to cut the deficit to 89-85 with 3:15 remaining. Simmons answered with a pull-up jumper and a pair of free throws, but the Sixers weren’t finally put away until two free throws by Bryn Forbes with 4.6 seconds left.
Simmons was 13 of 18 from the field with seven rebounds, five assists and two steals but also committed nine turnovers. Forbes and Kyle Anderson each scored 23 points for the Spurs (2-0), who shot 55.9 percent from the field, including 8 of 17 from 3-point range (47.1 percent). Forbes shot 8-for-10, while Anderson added eight rebounds, three steals and three blocks.
Philadelphia (0-2) had six players score in double figures, led by Christian Wood, who posted 19 points and seven rebounds in less than 20 minutes. Byron Allen had 10 points and seven steals. First-round draft pick Ben Simmons did not play after suffering cramps in Monday’s opener.
The four-team league resumes play Thursday with the Spurs facing the Boston Celtics and the 76ers playing the Utah Jazz.
