Sixers still trying to figure out how to score in half-court offense late in close games

PHILADELPHIA — The ongoing Ben Simmons saga didn't seem to affect the festive mood during the 76ers' home opener Friday night. 

There were only a few chants disparaging Simmons, who had asked to be traded during the offseason and put out word that he no longer planned on playing for the Sixers, from the boisterous crowd during the 114-109 loss to the Nets.

The primary reason for the defeat was nothing new – the inability to score from the half-court offense late in games and the lack of a reliable closer.

The Sixers only scored one of the game's final 17 points over the final five minutes, missing their last nine field goal attempts – three of them 3-point airballs by Danny Green – to turn a 10-point lead into a five-point loss.

"We got to do better when it comes to execution," said star center Joel Embiid, who missed all three of his final-period shots. "... We could've moved the ball a little better the last three or four minutes. We had a good first 44 minutes moving the ball."

The poor ending gave the contest a feel akin to the 4-3 playoff series loss to the Hawks last season, when the Sixers let Games 5 and 7 slip away at home. The Sixers are still searching for a guy who can give them a bucket when they really need it, as they have been since Jimmy Butler's departure in 2019.

"I liked the game," said Sixers coach Doc Rivers. "I just didn’t like the last four minutes."

Having a true point guard who could settle things down when they've had a few empty possessions would benefit the Sixers, too.

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For starters:How Sixers star center Joel Embiid can become the NBA MVP this season

The Sixers' starting backcourt, 6-foot-2 Tyrese Maxey and 6-1 Seth Curry, handled the bigger Nets relatively well despite second-year pro Maxey having to defend 6-5 former MVP James Harden (20 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists) and the 6-5½ Green matched up with another ex-MVP, the 6-10 Kevin Durant. The 6-10 Simmons had started in Maxey's spot during the previous four seasons.

It helped that Curry knocked down all of his 3-pointers en route to 23 points – 22 of them coming in the first three quarters – and Maxey (15 points) was solid. The superb Durant (29 points, 15 rebounds, 12 assists) had a triple-double by late in the third period.

With Simmons sitting out for personal reasons and Shake Milton still sidelined by a sprained ankle, Rivers used Maxey as the primary point, with Furkan Korkmaz typically initiating the offense with the second unit.

Normally a wing, Korkmaz is susceptible to aggressive, tight defensive pressure and right-hand dominant, but he did a decent job in that role Friday. Down the stretch is when they really missed not having a confident lead guard.

The Sixers had pulled away to a 117-97 victory over the inferior Pelicans, who are awaiting Zion Williamson's 2021-22 debut due to a foot injury, in Wednesday's season opener. They were unable to finish the job Friday. 

"We didn't have the ability to get guys (who were being closely guarded) the ball," Rivers said. "We struggled a little bit with that." 

Speaking of Simmons

Rivers called Simmons addressing the Sixers' players at the morning shootaround "productive and a start." While Rivers wouldn't get into details, Simmons reportedly told his teammates that he's "not mentally ready to play to his expectations now" one day after not participating in a scheduled individual workout in which he cited back tightness.

While there's no time frame for Simmons to return, according to Rivers, the coach and organization are hopeful the situation will continue to progress. 

Star center Embiid tossed an olive branch to Simmons during his brief pregame remarks to the fans, asking them "to continue to support us and our teammate Ben because he's still our brother." 

"It was good to finally hear from (Simmons at shootaround)," Embiid said later.  "Hopefully this was the first step. … I wouldn’t mind playing with him."

Following Tuesday's practice, Embiid sang a different tune. "At this point, I don't care about that man, honestly," he said. "He does whatever he wants."

Tobias Harris, who scored 21 of his 23 points in the first three periods, believes the Sixers should respect Simmons' privacy.

"I think we have to understand he's a human first and if he’s going through something we have to respect that and be there for him as a team, organization and fans," Harris said. "... At this time, he needs more support than neglect."

The Nets were without star guard Kyrie Irving, whose refusal to get the COVID-19 vaccine and New York City's vaccine mandate resulted in the Nets deciding to ban Irving from the team until he's fully vaccinated. Otherwise, Irving would have been able to play in road games while sitting out the home dates.

Up next

The Sixers, who didn't practice Saturday, face the Thunder in Oklahoma City on Sunday evening. Simmons remains out for personal reasons, while Embiid (sore knee) is listed as questionable and backup center Andre Drummond (sprained ankle) is doubtful.

They also visit the Knicks on Tuesday night before hosting the Pistons on Thursday.

Tom Moore: tmoore@couriertimes; @TomMoorePhilly