Still a Sixer, Simmons ready to take care of ‘business’

PHILADELPHIA » For a second consecutive game Thursday, the Miami Heat played well off Ben Simmons, challenging him to shoot and then crowding his path to the basket.

After a 125-108 victory, Doc Rivers was quick analyze that plan.

“We just scored 125 points,” he said. “We just shot 54 percent. We just shot almost 46 percent from three. And Ben had a triple-double. You know what I mean?”

The Sixers’ coach meant that a day after the Sixers were unable to complete a deal for James Harden with Houston that would have cost them Simmons and more, he was ready to begin the in-house repairs. That started with reassuring Simmons, and the fans, that the Sixers were not disappointed that Harden wound up in Brooklyn.

The Heat was severely short on personnel, yet Simmons worked for 10 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists. He missed his only 3-point shot, though it was in the flow from the corner.

“I thought tonight is how he has to be every night,” Rivers said. “I love the way he played. He was under control. He pushed it. He took gaps when they were there. He was a presence on the floor for us, not just on the offensive end, but on the defensive end as well. And that takes us to a different level.”

That was the decision the Sixers made when the bidding for Harden went too high. As for Simmons, he is at peace with how it all unfolded.

“This is a business,” he said. “Things like that happen. The only thing I can control is how I approach my workouts, my games and my day-to-day things. I’m just trying to be professional and do the right thing.”

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After missing three games due to contact tracing, Tobias Harris, Shake Milton and Matisse Thybulle were active.

“We have been hoping for reinforcements,” Danny Green said. “But during that time, our young guys did a great job of holding it down and learning a bunch. I think that’s what’s going to make our team deeper. You are only as strong as your weakest link.

“In a shortened season, anything can happen. We’re going to need our young guys from the end of our bench to be ready and prepared. And I think them jumping into the fire this early in the season allowed them time to grow and to understand that they have to be ready at all times.”

Joel Embiid, Simmons, Harris, Green and Tyrese Maxey started. Harris made an immediate impact, scoring nine of his 18 points in the first quarter.

“It’s important to always keep my mind right,” he said. “I just kept my focus all around. It felt good to be out there.”

Milton played 27 minutes and scored 31 points.

“I was trying to figure out if he had a gym in his place, because he was out there hooping,” Harris said. “It was like he never missed a beat.”

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Seth Curry remained unavailable for health reasons, as did Vincent Poirier. Furkan Korkmaz missed his ninth consecutive game with a left abductor strain.

“We lost a lot of offense over the last four games,” Rivers said. “We have Seth out and we have Furkan out. So we still have a lot out. But getting these guys absolutely helps us.”

Korkmaz, heavily taped, worked out before the game, demonstrating no lack of mobility. The Sixers have said he will be re-evaluated before Saturday’s game in Memphis.

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Dakota Mathias and Paul Reed, pressed into heavy service during the Sixers’ continuing health concerns, are on two-way contracts and eventually will play for the GLeague

Delaware Blue Coats.

In the roster released Thursday, the Coats will also employ Jared Brownridge, Michael Frazier II, Ivan Rabb, Justin Robinson, Brandon Sampson, Julian Washburn, Jemerrio Jones and Braxton Key.

The G-League will unfold this season in Orlando, in a controlled environment. The schedule has yet to be released.

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Green, 33, played 49 minutes of the Sixers’ 137-134 overtime victory Tuesday over Miami. Afterward, Rivers needled that he looked 1,000 years old.

But how did he feel?

“Like I was 1,000 years old,” Green said, “and that I played 49 minutes.”

Green was ready to play 24 minutes and score 12 points Thursday.

“I feel like these guys who have been out owe me a day or so,” he said. “I’ll take a day to help my body recover. But we don’t have time for that now.”