1. The Ben Simmons experience
No player has shined more in these scrimmages than Ben Simmons. The recently turned 24-year-old has come up just shy of a triple-double in both games, posting an impressive 14 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists in 26 minutes against OKC.
The move to power forward has done nothing but help Simmons. It allows him to engage the defense in new ways — as a screener, as a cutter, and as a playmaker from the elbow. Rather than take Simmons “off the ball,” the Sixers have simply changed the way Simmons gets the ball. He’s working from the teeth of the defense, instead of initiating from the top of the key.
The Mavs don’t have much to deter Simmons in his third scrimmage. Finney-Smith will likely draw the assignment, and while Finney-Smith is a commendable defender, he’s someone Simmons can overpower inside and outrun in transition. In fact, the Mavs in general don’t match up particularly well with Philadelphia.
Expect Simmons to have his way on the interior, especially if it’s Embiid keeping Porzingis occupied at center. There’s a potentially interesting scenario where Porzingis shadows Simmons, but even then, Simmons can use his weight to attack Porzingis’ chest and force separation at the rim.
Of course, fans will also keep an eye on Simmons’ 3-point shot. He attempted two in the Memphis game, but took zero against OKC. Simmons’ willingness to space to the corner is most important when Embiid is on the floor. If the big fella plays, Simmons will get his fair share of opportunities from deep.