The Washington Wizards knew they had a bit of a size advantage with the Philadelphia 76ers so they decided to use a strategy that is not universally well-liked, but it is a strategy nonetheless to keep efficient teams from scoring on offense.
The Wizards went to the hacking strategy and their target was Ben Simmons. He was 0-for-9 from the foul line in the first three games of the series and he has really struggled from the line since the All-Star break.
The result was the Wizards were able to disrupt Philadelphia’s offense and they were able to come away with a 122-114 win to keep the series alive. Simmons shot 5-for-11 from the line in the loss as he had a tough time being able to knock down free throws, mostly splitting them, and the Wizards were then in a groove on the offensive end and the Sixers were not able to run any offense because of Washington hacking Simmons.
“Analytically, if you split all those free throws, offensively, you’ll take a point per possession,” said coach Doc Rivers. “He did that. I have no issues. Obviously, we’d love it if he made them both, but I didn’t think that changed the game at all for us so I was fine with it. If he had missed them both, then that is something, but overall, I was fine with it. That’s what they should do and we’re fine with that.”
Normally in a situation such as this one, a team will take out the bad foul shooter and insert somebody who is a little better in that situation. However, that thought did not cross Rivers’ mind.
“You want me to take Ben Simmons off the floor?” Rivers retorted. “I’ll pass on that one. He’s pretty good so I’ll pass on that suggestion.”
To Rivers’ point, Simmons had had a pretty terrific Round 1 series with Washington outside of his poor foul shooting. So there is reason to leave him out there on the floor.
“He still does other things,” Rivers continued. “He split them all and I’ll take that. Obviously, I want him to make more. Ben’s not an 80% free-throw shooter.”
After the All-Star break, Simmons shot 53.3% from the line to close out the regular season. He has then struggled from the line in this series and at this point, it is all on him to be able to work everything out.
“Just step up and knock them down, for real,” he said. “That’s about it. I’m not discouraged going to the line so I got to knock them down. It is what it is so I just got to step up and knock them down.”
Some guys could get upset with a hacking strategy. It disrupts the flow of the offense and it throws off the rhythm of both the player being hacked and the whole team.
However, Simmons is not upset with the strategy. He just has to step up and do his job.
“No, I’m not upset, it’s basketball,” he added. “Nah, I’m not upset.”
The scene now shifts back to Philadelphia for Game 5 on Wednesday where Simmons will undoubtedly see more of the “Hack-a-Ben” strategy from the Wizards.
“Just keep working on them,” Rivers added. “I think he will. I didn’t think he was scared of the moment. He just didn’t make them. With Ben, we’re gonna keep him on the floor. Unless you guys want us to bench him the whole game, if anybody wants us to do that, just let me know. Then I’ll know you don’t know basketball.”
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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