The Philadelphia 76ers will host the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night and are looking to get on track amid a rough 2-12 start to the season. The Sixers have struggled to find their balance amid a slew of injuries and some drama to battle through.

The Sixers will see a familiar face in Nets guard Ben Simmons, who spent the first four seasons of his playing career in Philadelphia, where he was a three-time All-Star and won Rookie of the Year in 2018.

As Simmons looks to lead the Nets to Philadelphia, he gave his keys to stopping the Sixers while keeping it simple: “Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.”

It makes sense when you look at Philadelphia’s roster right now. This is a talented roster, but the guys who will lead the way are Embiid and Maxey. The Nets will look to slow those two down and get a win on the road on Friday.

“Obviously Joel is a huge inside presence, so try to slow him down as best you can,” Simmons told reporters. “Plus, just staying physical, being aggressive, you know, getting all over the field, just typical things that we do.”

Even with Paul George sidelined Friday with a left knee contusion, the Sixers still have Embiid and Maxey. That’s the big key in this game for both Brooklyn and Philadelphia.

“I mean, they have two All-Stars and one MVP, like they still have great pieces,” Simmons added. ‘So you don’t, you’re not going to overlook them. That’s still a dangerous team.’

The Sixers and Nets will tip off in the NBA Cup on Friday at 7:00 PM EST.

This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Ben Simmons hands keys to slow down Sixers’ Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey