Sixers Game 4 observations: Ben Simmons not responsible for loss
Sixers observations from Game 4: Doc Rivers, what the heck
This was not the best-coached game of Doc Rivers’ storied career. In fact, he made mind-boggling decisions all night, which only compounded the issues stemming from Joel Embiid’s sudden absence. If Rivers coaches a better game, the Sixers may very well have completed the sweep.
First and foremost, no, he should not have removed Ben Simmons from the floor down the stretch. Simmons was 4-of-8 from the charity stripe after Hack-a-Ben started, which is acceptable and mathematically sound basketball. You live with it and keep your star initiator on the floor in the final two minutes.
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Sitting Tyrese Maxey, who supercharged the Sixers’ come-back efforts early in the fourth quarter, is a mistake. Maxey gave the Sixers a downhill threat they were desperately lacking for much of the game, and came up with several big plays on both sides of the ball. It’s clear Rivers is still reluctant to trust Maxey, but you have to ride the hot hand when it’s that hot.
To make matters worse, Rivers closed with a not-especially-hot Seth Curry over Maxey and George Hill, who put together his best game yet as a Sixer. To remove to successful playmakers from the offense down the stretch, especially with Harris’ ineptitude in the halfcourt, is an unforgivable error. Both Maxey and Hill probably should have closed the game.
There is also the matter of Ben Simmons’ foul trouble. While handling foul trouble can get tricky, Ben Simmons played 25 minutes and did not foul out. Free throws aside, he was extremely helpful when on the court Monday night. That’s normally the case. Missing out on 10-15 valuable minutes of Simmons during the meat of the game because he has 3-4 fouls is probably not the best approach, even if he can’t guard Bradley Beal or Russell Westbrook.
Doc’s troublesome rotation choices, such as riding Mike Scott for 16 minutes before going to the correct small-ball construction of Ben Simmons-Tobias Harris and three guards, were a main culprit in Monday’s loss. Again, it doesn’t matter as much given the Embiid thing, but it was still a particularly irking night from the future Hall of Fame coach.