Ben Simmons and Jared Dudley have made this series must-watch television.
The series has been chippy, petty, and physical. In Game 3, Joel Embiid was unable to go for the Sixers, but that was a blessing in disguise. Tobias Harris, Ben Simmons, and J.J. Reddick had more shot opportunities, and that benefitted Simmons. The young star was playing as though he was angry at the world. Simmons found his aggressiveness.
And one reason is that Brooklyn’s Jared Dudley had some interesting comments on Ben Simmons’ game. When asked about Simmons, Dudley said: “Ben Simmons is a great player in transition. But once you get him into half- court, he’s average” (Bleacher Report)
Ben heard those words and, well, he scored 31 points and added nine assists. Dudley, on the other hand, had 0 points in 16 minutes of action. Ben Simmons let Dudley know about his performance by raising his hands and saying. “What’s up in Game 3!”
In Game 3, it felt as if it was a good thing Embiid was sitting out for the night. The sharpshooter for the Sixers (Simmons, that is) benefited for sure. Harris had 29 points on the night, and Reddick added 26. Brooklyn kept it close in the first half, but the Sixers had too much on the offensive side.
Brooklyn couldn’t get enough stops during crunch-time moments, even though Russell chipped in 26 points on 27 shots and LeVert added 26 on 17 shots.
Saturday’s Game 4 was ‘old school’ NBA playoff basketball. Joel Embiid returned, and his presence was felt immediately. Game 4 was close throughout, but the tide turned toward when Dudley pushed Embiid in the back late in the second quarter. Ben Simmons and Jimmy Butler got involved in the scuffle, too. Butler and Dudley were both ejected.
The Sixers came out on top with Embiid serving as the catalyst. Late in the 4th (with 1:59 left), the Nets led 108-104. But then the Sixers went on an 8-0 run to close the game and win by a final score of 112-108.
The Nets now sit in a 3-1 hole heading back to Philadelphia. To win there, Brooklyn needs to slow down during moments that matter. Their youth is showing in the 4th quarter, especially. Russell, Dinwiddie, LeVert, and Allen are young players getting a taste of playoff ball.
That said, I see the Sixers taking Game 5, 125-119. Simmons will have a big game, and I’ll take the over on Dudley and Simmons getting into it again.
