The last time Ben Simmons played against the Indiana Pacers, he had yet to score in double figures on the season.
Fast forward to Friday’s post-Thanksgiving matchup, and Simmons — who has night-and-day improved in all areas of his game by turning a corner in both his back and knee issues — has scored 11 or more in six straight games.
He is inching closer and closer to becoming the player the Nets envisioned when they traded James Harden: Simmons is dogged defensively, aggressive in getting to the rim, playing with pace, finding teammates and looking for his own shot.
