Sixers-Hawks key matchups to watch: Ben Simmons vs. DeAndre Hunter
I don’t expect Ben Simmons to spend much time at all defending DeAndre Hunter. The second-year wing from Virginia has emerged as a real secondary threat offensively, but that’s simply a poor use of prime defensive real estate. Simmons will spend the bulk of his time on Young, Bogdanovic, and the Hawks’ other frontcourt threats (more on that in a second).
What I do expect, however, is for Hunter to draw the main defensive assignment on Ben Simmons. That makes this a matchup of singular importance. Simmons had no trouble overpowering the Wizards’ wimpy wing rotation, but Hunter has the size and physicality to offer real resistance. How Simmons handles that could go a long way in determining the Sixers’ success.
Philadelphia is at its best when Simmons attacks downhill and forces his way to the basket — whether it’s to shoot, or to drive-and-kick. He draws so much attention and is the catalyst for Philadelphia’s transition offense, but too often, he plays passively. That is especially true when he faces the rare defender who can actually mirror his movements and match his strength. Enter, Hunter.
If Hunter can neutralize Simmons, then the Sixers will have hurdles to overcome offensively. And that’s assuming Embiid is a go and capable of carrying his normal workload. Simmons is the engine that drives Philadelphia on a lot of possessions. He cannot let Hunter dissuade him from an aggressive series.