Ben Simmons finding his stride with return to hostile Philly looming

Ben Simmons is coming off perhaps his best game of the season, when the inconsistent big man had season highs in points (10) and rebounds (nine) in Tuesday’s home win over Charlotte.The challenge for Simmons and the Nets has been his putting up those kinds of numbers — and playing solid defense — on a regular basis.He’ll have some added motivation to put up back-to-back solid performances when the Nets visit Philadelphia on Friday night before a three-game western swing.It will be Simmons’ first time back on the court at Wells Fargo Arena since he didn’t attempt a field goal or free throw, but had nine rebounds, five assists and four fouls in 13 minutes in a Nets win on Feb.3 of last season.In that game — his third in Philadelphia since being traded to the Nets — the 28-year-old was booed the first time he checked into the game off the bench in the opening quarter and heard more of them whenever he touched the ball.“It’s funny to me,” Simmons said after that game.

“I’ve got grown men pissed off and yelling at me.… It’s not that deep.

It’s sports, but it comes with it, so I enjoy it.”“He likes playing and he’s a competitor,’’ Cam Thomas said of Simmons.“He likes that kind of atmosphere.

I’m sure he’ll be ready to go and have an impact and do everything for us on the court.” Sign up for Inside the Nets by Brian Lewis, exclusively on Sports+.Please provide a valid email address.

By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Simmons has played three straight games for the first time this season after missing four of the team’s first dozen games.With Nic Claxton listed as questionable for Friday’s game with a lower-back strain that’s kept him out for more than a week, there’s a chance Simmons could be tasked with guarding ex-teammate Joel Embiid.Asked about the expectatio...