NBA: Ben Simmons stars as Philadelphia 76ers thump Boston Celtics

Ben Simmons and his revamped Philadelphia 76ers have overcome a shaky start to defeat Boston Celtics in their NBA regular season opening game.

The 76ers won 107-93 in Philadelphia.

Melbourne-born Simmons did not attempt a three-pointer but terrorised the Celtics with his traditional game of spectacular dunks and shots from injside the paint.

Simmons had 24 points, eight rebounds and nine assists

The 76ers lost All-Star Jimmy Butler and three-point specialist JJ Redick in the off-season and added veteran big man Al Horford from Boston and shooting guard Josh Richardson from Miami.

The Celtics led 25-20 at the end of the first quarter and extended their lead by as much as eight, but the 76ers found their groove late in the first half, went on an 11-0 run into the third quarter and controlled the rest of the game.

The 76ers spent big in the off-season by signing Simmons to a five-year, $US170 million contract extension, forward Tobias Harris to a five-year, $US180 million deal and Horford to a four-year, $US109 million contract.

Three-point shooting appears to be a weakness with the departure of Redick.

The 76ers connected with just seven of 29 three-point attempts.

The Celtics also had a major off-season upheaval with Horford moving to Philadelphia, All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving leaving for the Brooklyn Nets and Australian big man Aron Baynes shipped to the Phoenix Suns.

Boston were led by Gordon Hayward’s 25 points while new signing Kemba Walker was off target missing 14 of 18 field goal attempts for 12 points.

AAP