LeBron James and Anthony Davis featured from the start but the Lakers never got going in a heavy 139-107 defeat to the Boston Celtics.
Jayson Tatum registered a game-high 27 points to help Celtics team-mate Kemba Walker celebrate his first career win against superstar James at the 29th attempt.
Joel Embiid’s absence through injury failed to hurt the Philadelphia 76ers as Simmons shone in a 117-111 road victory over the slumping Brooklyn Nets.
Simmons enjoyed one of the best games of his career, posting a triple-double with 34 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists, plus five steals.
There was similar joy elsewhere for Damian Lillard, who erupted for a career-best 61 points – including 11 three-pointers – as the Portland Trail Blazers overcame the Golden State Warriors 129-124 in an overtime thriller.
Westbrook heroics not enough as OKC complete comeback
Russell Westbrook’s 32 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds went unrewarded as the Houston Rockets squandered a big lead to lose 112-107 to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Rockets were overrun after taking a 16-point advantage into the fourth quarter, as Chris Paul and Danilo Gallinari shared 53 points for OKC.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (28 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists) also recorded a triple-double, the reigning MVP reaching 10,000 career points as the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Chicago Bulls 111-98.
The Miami Heat resumed their charge in the Eastern Conference, outlasting the Sacramento Kings 118-113 in overtime.
Meanwhile, in Minnesota, the Denver Nuggets bounced back to winning ways, topping the Timberwolves 107-100 thanks to double-doubles from Nikola Jokic and Michael Porter Jr.
Lowry misses out in Atlanta
The Toronto Raptors claimed a 122-117 win against the Atlanta Hawks but it was still a game to forget for five-time All Star Kyle Lowry, who went three-of-11 from the floor and missed each of his five three-point attempts.
Brown posterises LeBron!
Celtics guard Jaylen Brown had 20 points and a huge dunk on an NBA superstar at TD Garden.
Monday’s results
San Antonio Spurs 120-118 Phoenix SunsPortland Trail Blazers 129-124 Golden State Warriors (OT)Utah Jazz 118-88 Indiana PacersWashington Wizards 106-100 Detroit PistonsToronto Raptors 122-117 Atlanta HawksPhiladelphia 76ers 117-111 Brooklyn NetsMiami Heat 118-113 Sacramento Kings (OT)Milwaukee Bucks 111-98 Chicago BullsOklahoma City Thunder 112-107 Houston RocketsOrlando Magic 106-83 Charlotte HornetsNew Orleans Pelicans 126-116 Memphis GrizzliesNew York Knicks 106-86 Cleveland CavaliersBoston Celtics 139-107 Los Angeles LakersDenver Nuggets 107-100 Minnesota Timberwolves
Clippers at Mavericks
Kristaps Porzingis could return from a knee injury when the Dallas Mavericks (27-15) entertain the Los Angeles Clippers (30-13) in Tuesday’s only game.
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