Philadelphia 76ers: Responding to Ben Simmons’ off-night

If the Philadelphia 76ers are going to bounce back at home, they’re going to need Ben Simmons to breakout of his mini-slump

Ben Simmons had a disastrous Game 2 in Boston, and that may be putting it lightly.

Simmons, the likely Rookie of the Year, scored only 1 point to go along with five turnovers as the Philadelphia 76ers dropped to 0-2 in its second-round series against the Boston Celtics.

Simmons managed to log 7 assists, but shot 0-of-4 and was a team-worst minus-23 in his 30 minutes on the court.

In the first-round against the Miami Heat, Simmons led the 76ers to the series win with poise and toughness rarely seen in a rookie. He averaged 18.2 points, 10.6 rebounds, 9 assists and 2.4 steals per game in his first playoff series, and his team looked like the favorite to win the East.

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However, scoring only a single point and blowing a 22-point first half lead is not customary of NBA Finals contenders. While there is cause for concern for Philly fans rollicking in the early returns paid by trusting the process, there shouldn’t be concern over Simmons himself.

Boston’s defense gave Simmons trouble when its forwards guarded him. Al Horford (44.3% of defensive possessions) and Marcus Morris (31.1%) matched up with Simmons most often, and combined to contest all four of his missed field goals, per nba.com.

Defensively, the Celtics kept Simmons away from the paint, neutralizing his ability to score. Simmons is a notoriously poor jump-shooter, and only presents as a scoring threat when he is close to the basket.

Also, it helps that the Celtics have several additional wing-defenders with enough size to guard Simmons, in Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart. There is a reason that the Celtics had the highest defensive rating in the regular season (101.5, per nba.com) despite having a slew of players in-and-out of the rotation with injuries.

Simmons does not shoot 3’s, and avoids jumpers when possible. Of his field goal attempts, 99 percent are two-point field goal attempts, and 78.7 percent of those come from within 10 feet of the basket, according to basketball-reference.com.

Despite demonstrating an unwillingness to shoot, Simmons is so quick off the dribble and effective as a playmaker in open space that defenses still tend to play him loosely. When played too tight, he will blow by his defender and find an open teammate, if he doesn’t take it straight to the rim.

It may have simply been an off-night for Simmons, but the Celtics’ defense had a lot to do with causing it. After missing his first four shots, and losing some of his minutes to backup point guard T.J. McConnell, Simmons looked hesitant and unlike himself – a rare glimpse of the inexperience that is usually masked so well.

Every player has the occasional off-night, and Simmons’ isn’t especially worrisome.

But, now that the 76ers are down 0-2, Simmons – or any of Philly’s key players – can’t afford any more bad games.

Boston’s defense will continue to give Simmons problems, but he is skilled enough to find a way to be effective regardless.

Even away from the ball, Simmons still cuts, screens, and moves well enough to impact Philly’s offense. Brett Brown will find ways to utilize Simmons differently in game 3.

Although an 0-2 hole is deep, it is not insurmountable. Philly has two home games coming up to even the series score.

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Making a comeback will take everything the Philadelphia 76ers have, which includes strong play from its rotation players. Another dud of a performance from Simmons could sink Philly, but a return to form for the rookie could swing the series back in his team’s favor.

Expect the latter. Simmons is fine, and has the chance to redeem himself, and extend Philly’s playoff run, in Game 3.