Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons knows what’s in store for him when he returns to Philadelphia to take on the 76ers on Tuesday night.
When a reporter insinuated that the Philly faithful might take it easy on him, Simmons was quick to retort with a funny response.
Ben Simmons knows what’s coming when he plays in Philly on Tuesday ??? pic.twitter.com/tSsDYiVoQj
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) November 21, 2022
Yes, Ben Simmons will get booed during introductions, during the game, and likely as he’s leaving Wells Fargo Arena. But perhaps it’ll prove to give him some extra motivation. Coming into the game, Simmons’ Nets are the betting favorites over a 76ers team that’ll be without Joel Embiid due to injury
Check out the betting odds below, via DraftKings:
Nets vs. 76ers Odds & Spread
- Spread: Nets -7.5 (-115), 76ers +7.5 (-105)
- Moneyline: Nets: -315, 76ers +260
- Total: Over 217 (-110), Under 217 (-110)
Ben Simmons Player Props
- Points: Over 10.5 (-115), Under 10.5 (-115)
- Rebounds: over 7.5 (+105), Under 7.5 (-135)
- Assists: Over 5.5 (-130), Under 5.5 (+100)
Ben Simmons got off to a slow start to the season, but has started to turn a corner in recent games. In seven games, Simmons is averaging just 7.9 PPG, 5.7 assists, and 6.8 rebounds. In his past three games, Simmons has scored over 10 points, including a season-high 22 points in the 127-115 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday.
“I’m just staying focused,” Simmons said to ESPN. “I’m taking it day by day. That’s honestly what it is. I’ve got to take it day by day.
“Me personally, if I start reading everything that’s going on and getting psyched out, that’s not good for me. So for me, I just want to stay focused, take it day by day, and I keep saying it but that’s what it is for me. Just keep building on good days and staying locked in.”
Earlier in the season, Simmons was mocked heavily all over social media with videos of him hesitant to shoot the ball and be aggressive on offense, but it was a different story altogether on Sunday.
“I think immediately you saw force that he played with whether it was his pace and his attack of the rim, and it was a relentless attack towards the rim and really just spraying the basketball [around],” Nets coach Jacque Vaughn said. “The pace that he created for us tonight, it will make it hard for people to guard us.”
Ben Simmons will come in to his Philly reunion more confident than he’s been since the dismal showing in the 2021 NBA Playoffs. Look for him to stay aggressive and be encouraged by his teammates to make a statement against his former team.
