Ben Simmons goes missing as Boston Celtics expose rookie in Game 2 win over Philadelphia 76ers

Jay Asser 16:16 04/05/2018
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  • Ben Simmons mightily struggled in Game 2.

    Ben Simmons’ limitations were exposed on a night he got his first taste of playoff failure.

    Whether or not Simmons should be considered a rookie has been a hot debate this season, but the phenom looked every bit the part of a first-year player as the Philadelphia 76ers blew a 22-point lead in the 108-103 loss to the Boston Celtics in Game 2.

    Simmons’ horrendous showing, which saw him score all of one point as he was erased offensively by Boston, contributed to the 76ers blowing a 22-point to fall into a 2-0 hole as the series now shifts to Philadelphia.

    It was the first time in Simmons’ brief career – 88 games – he failed to make a basket as his lone point came from the free throw line at the 7:14 mark of the first quarter. He finished 0-of-4 from the field, while recording seven assists, five rebounds and five turnovers.

    While Al Horford spent the most time of any Celtics player matched-up on Simmons – 27 of 61 possessions – it didn’t make a difference who was guarding the 76ers playmaker as he was blanked all night.

    Simmons had such a rough night that there was controversy around coach Brett Brown’s decision to insert him back into the lineup for the final stretch, instead of leaning on back-up T.J. McConnell. Simmons ended the game with a plus-minus of minus-23, while McConnell was a team-best plus-16.

    While his size, athleticism and passing have made up for his lack of shooting for nearly the entire season, Simmons’ most glaring weakness was on full display and impossible to ignore in Game 2.

    All four of his field goal attempts came in the paint and a couple weren’t even close as his touch completely missed the mark.

    Boston are uniquely equipped to take away Simmons’ driving runways by throwing long bodies at him. He managed to get easy points through dunks, free throws and transition play in the series opener, but in Game 2 the Celtics were successful in shutting down fast-break opportunities and staying with him every step of the way.

    There’s no doubt that any semblance of a jump shot or even a threatening post game would alleviate Simmons’ deficiencies.

    From his point of view, however, the Game 2 performance was his own doing.

    “I think it was mainly what I did to myself,” Simmons said. “Mentally, I was thinking too much, overthinking the plays. Wasn’t just out there, flowing, playing the way that I play, which is free.

    “I think, obviously, [the Celtics] have a game plan, I know what their game plan is and I’ve got to play my game.”

    While Simmons’ night to forget wasted strong efforts from role players Robert Covington and J.J. Redick, who combined for 45 points on 9-of-16 shooting from deep, Boston once again capitalised on another impressive performance by Terry Rozier.

    The Celtics guard had 20 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, proving to be instrumental to Boston’s comeback.

    In the playoffs, Rozier has been at his best particularly in the fourth quarter, in which he has 56 points on 18-of-27 (66.7 per cent) shooting overall, including 13-of-20 (65.0 per cent) from deep, to go with 13 assists, 12 rebounds and no turnovers in 64 minutes.

    If he bring his play from the first two games to Philadelphia, the series may be shorter than expected.

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