With Nic Claxton back in the starting lineup, the Nets needed to move someone to their bench. That someone was Ben Simmons, who came off the bench in an overtime loss to the Celtics on Friday, as Michael Scotto of HoopsHype notes (Twitter link). Simmons, who had started 326 of his 338 career games entering the night, finished with eight points, seven rebounds and eight assists in the defeat.
Head coach Jordi Fernandez opted for a starting lineup that consisted of Dennis Schröder, Cam Thomas, Claxton, Cameron Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith. Simmons, Jalen Wilson, Ziaire Williams and Keon Johnson rounded out the rotation off the bench.
“Whatever the team needs me to do, whether it’s come off the bench or starting, I gotta do,” Simmons said, per Erik Slater of Clutch Points (Twitter link). “That’s what coach wants right now. It is what it is.”
We have more from the Eastern Conference:
- Jonathan Mogbo‘s been one of the most impressive rookies in the NBA this season –the No. 31 overall pick is averaging 6.6 points and 4.7 rebounds per game in a crucial role for the Raptors. Eric Koreen of The Athletic writes that Mogbo is getting a crash course in the NBA and is acing it, with his plus-21 mark for the season ranking first among Toronto’s rotation regulars. The rookie forward played some defensive possessions with Denver’s Nikola Jokic and Sacramento’s Domantas Sabonis as his primary assignment.
- The Cavaliers are off to a franchise- and league-best 10-0 record after drubbing the Warriors on Friday night. Jason Lloyd of The Athletic writes that the Cavs are playing a confident brand of basketball and this could mark the start of something special. “There’s a quiet confidence about this team,” Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson said. “There’s a humility but they know they’re good. … It’s almost like they know they have to take the next step. It’s there. It’s present.“
- Bucks forward Andre Jackson Jr., who recently received a promotion to the starting lineup, is dealing with a hip pointer and only played 18 minutes in a loss to the Knicks on Friday, according to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps (Twitter link). In other news, two-way guard Ryan Rollins played 12 minutes off the bench, recording seven points. Bontemps writes that Rollins has overtaken Delon Wright in the rotation, as Wright didn’t play on Friday.
After the game, Warriors’ legends Curry, Green, and Kerr all gave Atkinson props saying that they felt like they were watching themselves at their best. Under new coaching both their top end talent and talented depth provide the Cavs with a runway that could lead to uncharted waters. They are playing the best team ball in the history of the franchise.
They should be a top 2 team in the east, but that 10-0 schedule is built on some insane softness. They have gotten very lucky in the same way they did last night. It makes things easy when dumpster fire shooters like Okoro make every 3. Like your shooting double the teams % at HT they didnt even win by 20+ when they had the best shooting half of basketball the team will have this season. They should just be stoked they actually handled their easy schedule while the rest of the east crumbled around them.
They have a real deep team and should dominate the east. Its them and Celtics as the best in the east. I don’t see many holes they have in that lineup. Warriors just got caught with a team having a great first half. the extra 7 3s made was the game there. Warriors TO in the first half doomed them. Kerr needs to get on the team not making full court passes which caused 4 first half TOs.
Sour grapes because your team got stomped. The “dumpster fire” shooter Okoro shot .393 last season from deep and .365 the year prior, it’s not a fluke that he got hot. Mitchell had a horrible night and they actually had more turnovers than the Warriors. The only reason they didn’t win by more than 19 points is because they took their foot off the gas.
I don’t hate the Warriors and it was obvious they were feeling the effects of it being their 4 game in a five game road trip and they just ran into a better team last night.
How is that sour grapes? Warriors got stomped in the first half and played the right game in the second half. Warriors TO the ball 13 times in the first half and only 4 in the second half. Cavs made a extra 5 3s than they usually make. lakers lost by 24 against the Cavs so your team got even more stomped by the cavs so i guess its bitterness by you.
The Lakers aren’t my team bro. In fact my team got stomped by the Warriors in the second game of the season. That’s ok though because I know my team sucks and they’re on the laf for Flagg.
Jazz! All this time I thought you were a Lakers fan. I am surprised they didn’t go after Moses Moody in the off season.
Unfortunately Taco, you have criticized the Warriors in a logical manner. This now means you are a hater troll and you should never speak again.
I don’t make the rules.
Considering you are the #1 Warrior hater on this board.
I knew it was only a matter of time before Atkinson got another shot. I figured he would wait for a team with a good roster unlike the Hornets roster he backed out of coaching.
Smart dude.
Cavs shot 75% from 3 at a high clip, I think it was something like 17-19 or something insane in the first half, but GSW destroyed the Cavs in the second half 75-52. Not much anyone can do about every three going in. Game meant nothing, it proved nothing other than Cavs are elite and Warriors likely are too. Drop that 75% to like 40% and this game would have been a nail biter. Oh well, Warriors still winning 65+!
I like both teams, but the reason that the GSW destroyed the Cavs in the sconed half is because Atkinson had them go to a softer, easier defensive alignment and had more in and outs of players. He did this to keep his team rested. Why would he keep them charging at the Warriors all night? That would just be poor sportmanship and also tire out his team for the game the next day.
Check out what Post did in his first G league game. He dominated 28 points and 15 rebounds in less than 30 minutes.
Did Rollins get any steals though. Shouldn’t be in the weak NBA
Ben Simmons for DLo, Rui and JHS with a 2028 unprotected pick for Ben Simmons. He still can play defense and rebound and push. Who says no?
Maybe swap Gabe for Rui in case they’re really desperate. Same package though.
Vincent and D’Lo are negative trade bait for anything right now. Rui is the only one with any value in the trade offer.
Just don’t think there is enough outside shooting left on LAL to replace DLo and Rui with Ben Simmons.
Amazing how no one here ever talked about Cavs before the season ……….. yeah typical