Anfernie Simmons hasn’t lost her ability to light a match

This is the kind of action that speaks volumes about a player’s confidence level. Late in the third quarter against the Bulls, Anfernee Simmons saw his 3-point shot from the corner go in and out.

Hugo Gonzalez caught the offensive ball and found his teammate in the same corner. And Anferni Simmons, even more open than during his first attempt, did not hesitate to return, and to convert this time. It would have been a mistake if he was stripped as the Celtics’ bench was on fire in the second half.

Although he didn’t score a single point before the break, the reserve opened the scoring with a game-winning shot six minutes into the third quarter. After a very technical float in front of Jevon Carter, the sixth man followed up with another winning shot, sniper style, despite the outstretched arms of Nikola Vucevic.

The distant eruption would continue in the fourth quarter. The former offensive leader of the Blazers finished the game with 27 points (9/16 on shots including 8/14 from distance), 3 rebounds and 3 assists in 27 minutes.

« He’s a guy who came in with a great attitude. He is happy to be there, he wants to do whatever it takes to win. He’s also super confident. There are certain games where his streak of points, during his passes on the court, created a gap for us », notes Joe Mazzula.

This was clearly the case in this matchup, especially since the home leaders had a lot of trouble finding the target: Jaylen Brown with 14 points on 6/24 shooting and Derrick White with 10 points on 3/15 shooting. With an abysmal 2/16 3-pointer for both. Simmons’ performance – the best of his season – was therefore welcome.

More consistent in defense

It was the sixth time this season he reached or surpassed the 20-point mark. For comparison, last year in Portland, the guard reached this quota 38 times. When he became a replacement in Boston, his scoring average logically dropped.

But his coach insists that this change in status has not been a challenge and that the Celtics’ summer recruit arrived with the idea of ​​doing what it takes to help the team win. ” It’s a real pleasure. It’s nice to impose yourself and fit into this established culture, as well as fulfill the expectations that have already been set », confirms the 26-year-old.

The latter adds: ” We’re almost halfway through the season and I feel like I’ve grown so much in so many areas: mentally, in the way I approach each game, and in the attention to detail and intensity we play with every night. This is the standard set here. So I’m pretty happy with myself and obviously with the team. »

Aside from his hot streaks, another area shows he’s adjusting well: his impact on defense. Both the player and his coach see significant progress.

« Where he has really been most consistent is on defense. It was precisely in this sector that he was the best. He comes every day wanting to work, play hard and win, so he does whatever it takes to do that. ,” notes Joe Mazzulla, evoking “ better understanding » of what the Celtics are looking for from players.

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How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / 3 points in an attempt; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.