The Sixer Sense
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T.J. McConnell has earned his backup point guard minutes

By Christopher Kline

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 14: Markelle Fultz #20 and T.J. McConnell #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers react against the Miami Heat in game one of round one of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 14, 2018 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 14: Markelle Fultz #20 and T.J. McConnell #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers react against the Miami Heat in game one of round one of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 14, 2018 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Ben Simmons wasn’t the Philadelphia 76ers’ most productive point guard in Game 2.

The Philadelphia 76ers will now face a couple of must-win games after dropping two on the road in Boston. The Celtics struggled on the road in the first round, but they appear to have confidence in spades. You can’t say the same for the Sixers right now.

One of the biggest disappointments in Game 2 was Ben Simmons‘ performance. The Rookie of the Year favorite tallied just one point while missing all four of his attempts from the field. He also turned the ball over five times, which led the Sixers.

Joel Embiid, despite putting together 20 points and 14 rebounds, didn’t have his best game either, especially on the defensive end. Once he picked up his fifth foul late in the fourth quarter, the Celtics were slashing to the rim and scoring without much resistance. Al Horford‘s shooting has caused him a lot of problems as well.

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Despite the blown lead, the Sixers did have a handful of positive performances, with T.J. McConnell being chief among them. We’ve heard an inexplicable number of people clamoring for Markelle Fultz minutes over the past few days, but the former undrafted free agent proved once again that he deserves the playing time he’s getting.

For a solid chunk in the third and fourth quarters, McConnell gave the Sixers a much-needed spark on the offensive end. He was probing the lane, hitting short-range pull-ups, and finding cutters at the rim. He did everything Simmons wasn’t able to do in Game 2.

Brett Brown went with McConnell for extended minutes, with the Sixers taking a couple of brief leads during his time on the floor. Simmons was inevitably put back in around the midway point of the fourth quarter, a move that ended up costing the Sixers’ rhythm on the offensive end.

There are a couple of different (and valid) opinions on that move from Brett. Some praised his willingness to think long term and let Simmons play through adversity, while others will argue that McConnell gave the Sixers the best chance to win and should have been on the floor.

The latter is probably true, but there are potential benefits to both sides of that debate.

Nonetheless, McConnell did make one thing clear in Game 2 — he deserves minutes. He might even deserve more minutes than he’s currently getting. Limited physical tools and all, his defensive energy and smart, under-control playmaking is something the Sixers have desperately needed.

Next: 5 ways the Sixers can still beat the Celtics

There’s a good chance that Markelle Fultz takes on a significant role off the bench next season. Until then, however, don’t expect to see Fultz in what will be the Sixers’ most important two-game stretch this season.