PHILADELPHIA -- Life in Philadelphia has been a bit up and down for 76ers guard Anfernee Simons to start his time in the City of Brotherly Love. Overall on the season, he's shooting 42.7% from deep, but his shooting has gone through peaks and valleys as he navigates through his time with the team.
Simons found a peak in Thursday's win over the Toronto Raptors as he poured in 17 points and knocked down five triples on six attempts. Philadelphia needed his shooting and his energy as the Raptors built a 17-point lead in the first half, but Simons played a key role in making sure the Sixers made inroads on the lead and take control of the game. Him along with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Jabari Walker were able to make a big impact.
"Obviously, we
got off to a slow start," said Simons after the win. "Just want to go in and bring some energy, get some stops, get out and run, bring some energy, life to the team. I think that's what we did tonight. I think everybody that was getting off the bench, brought energy. Kenny, Bari, I think we did a good job of picking up the intensity a little bit and boosted all the starters to, you know, obviously bring the intensity as well. So, I think I feel like tonight, it was the case."
A big moment in the contest on Thursday was Simons knocking down a big shot to beat the buzzer to end the first quarter. He drilled a tough triple to cut the deficit to nine heading into the second quarter and it felt like a shot that changed things for Philadelphia. While the Raptors appeared to be controlling things, it was Simons who stepped up and gave the Sixers a big boost and that buzzer beater in the first was helpful.
"Oh yeah, once, you know, obviously getting a stop, getting a steal, and then being able to end a quarter like that, on a 3-ball," Simons added. "I think it brought definitely energy going into the second quarter that helped us kind of get some stops and get running."
It's important for the Sixers to have both Simons and Caldwell-Pope knock down open 3s. That allows the floor to be spaced and allow the guards to be able to get to the basket. Some might view that as the team putting pressure on both guards, but for Simons, this is what he does. He isn't worried about all that. He's just trying to play his role.
"They encourage us to keep shooting the ball, and knowing that the team has that much confidence in us to keep shooting it, it makes the game that much easier," Simons added. "Whether you miss or make, I think as long as we get the right shots in the right moments, I think everybody can live with the misses and the makes."
Basketball is a make or miss game and Simons understands that. For as often as he puts up shots, he's going to miss some. That's just the nature of it. However, he is such an elite shooter that he'll live with the misses as long as he is able to throw in some important ones to help Philadelphia succeed offensively.
"Obviously, we want to make shots, but I feel like everybody understands, you're gonna miss some, you're gonna make some," Simons finished. "So I wouldn't say pressure. I think it's everybody collectively encouraging us to shoot."
The Sixers will host the Indiana Pacers on Sunday.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Anfernee Simons explains impact made in Sixers home win over Raptors
