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SIMMONS FOR 3

Ben Simmons was cheered in a preseason game like he was a scrub off the JV bench who scored a basket in mop-up time when he buried a 3-pointer. The reason the crowd went wild? The 3was the first for Simmons in the NBA. Simmons is 0 for 17from 3-point range in two seasons and spent his summer trying to improve his jumper. Defenses sagged on Simmons, daring him to shoot because the point guard can’t do much outside the paint. Simmons’ ability to expand his game is needed for the Sixers to go deep in the postseason as much as a healthy Embiid. “I work every day and to me, it shows,” Simmons said. “I’m in the gym every day and I feel like it is paying off.” Simmons has

50-1odds to win NBA MVP.

The 23-year-old signed a $170million, five-year contract extension in the offseason. He made his NBA debut in the

2017-18season and was Rookie of the Year. He was an All-Star for the first time last season but vowed to do more. “I think I was just too worried about what people were saying and what was going on around me. Too many outside noises,” Simmons said. “I was really able to block them out this summer and not focus on what people were saying.”

NEED FOR EMBIID

The Sixers will go only as far as franchise center Joel Embiid takes them. They were willing to wait two years for him to sit out with injuries because they knew the tantalizing talent ahead. But Embiid has yet to play more than 64games a season, one reason why the Sixers played Game 7 on the road instead of home. He missed a playoff game against Brooklyn with a bad left knee and had multiple digestive issues that made his starting status unknown for other games. Embiid said he wants to play more than 64games, though the Sixers are weary of his workload. He has 13-1odds to win NBA MVP.

“I knew I had to be in better shape,” Embiid said. “Meaning that, I had to do a better job. You can’t coach sickness, you can’t go and get sick. All I can do is just make sure I do the right thing and eat the right things. I just try to do what I can do best.” Embiid said at the start of training camp that he lost 20pounds over the offseason and aimed for at least five more before opening night by eating right and working with team officials to get in better condition. Embiid didn’t say how much he weighs but is listed as 250pounds on the depth chart. HORFORD HELPS

Al Horford just might prove the most valuable pickup for the Sixers. When he played for the Celtics, Horford often gave Embiid fits defensively and now can give spell at center, when needed. A five-time All-Star, Horford averaged 13.6points, 6.7rebounds and 4.2assists last season. Horford said he didn’t necessarily spill any secrets to Embiid on how to solve rugged defensive matchups. “We are going to talk, but he is going to be fine,” Horford said. “If you look at the stat line, he is just doing his thing. I’m here to help him and I am here to help the team.”

— Dan Gelston, Associated Press