Ben Simmons shuts down Luka Dončić, Joel Embiid’s shooting woes continue | Sixers-Mavs best/worst

Ben Simmons is building quite a defensive resume.

The 76ers “facilitator” has had a knack for successfully defending opposing teams’ best perimeter scorers. He doesn’t always lock them down. But he wins the battle most of the time.

Luka Dončić became his latest victim in Thursday’s 111-97 victory over the Dallas Mavericks at the Wells Fargo Center.

Here’s a look at the best and worst performances from Thursday’s contest.

Simmons gets this after smothering Dončić. The league MVP candidate averages 28.5 points but was held to 19 points on 6-for-13 shooting, with seven turnovers and three blocks. He scored just seven points on 3-for-9 shooting when guarded by Simmons. In addition to finishing with two steals and a block, the Sixers standout had 15 points and seven assists and was the best two-way player on the floor.

» READ MORE: Ben Simmons’ defense, Joel Embiid’s 23 points lead the Sixers to a win over the Dallas Mavericks

Tobias Harris gets this, but it almost seems unfair. The Sixers power forward exited the game early in the third quarter because of a bruised right knee. He’s having tests this morning to determine if there’s any structural damage. But before the injury, Harris had an off shooting night, going 2-for-7 to score six points. Four of those points came in the first half on 2-for-6 shooting.

Simmons gets this for locking down Dončić and being an overall defensive terror.

» READ MORE: Joel Embiid is in a mini shooting slump, but Doc Rivers isn’t concerned | Off the Dribble

This goes to Joel Embiid’s shooting. The Sixers’ MVP candidate made just 5 of 20 shots to continue his shooting slump. The center has gone 14-for-53 in the last three games.

This goes to the Sixers’ turnovers. They committed only eight, 7.5 below their season average.

» READ MORE: A trade for Kyle Lowry would bring the Sixers tantalizingly close to the Nets. That makes him worth a heavy price. | David Murphy