Sixers Bell Ringer: Game 19

For a refresher on what constitutes a Bell Ringer, please reference the initial post.

Bell Ringer Season Standings:

Joel Embiid - 7
Ben Simmons - 3
JJ Redick - 3
Jimmy Butler - 2
Robert Covington - 1
Dario Saric - 1
T.J. McConnell - 1.

A big third quarter run helped the Sixers overcome a slow start and move to a still-perfect 9-0 in Philadelphia this season. Here are your Bell Ringer candidates:

Joel Embiid: 33 points, 17 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals, 1 block

At just 24 years of age, Joel Embiid rolls out of bed and drops 30 & 10. The big man recorded his eleventh game this season with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds, putting on a free clinic Monday night for a local youth by the name of Deandre Ayton. Strangely, Embiid had an unusually difficult time finishing around the rim, most notably clanging a windmill dunk, and also having the ball stripped away a few times around the basket. Still, the bully ball mentality was too destructive for Phoenix to overcome; Embiid dominated his way to a 9-12 night at the charity stripe. Blame James Harden, indeed.

Ben Simmons: 19 points, 11 rebounds, 9 assists, 1 steal

One assist away from a triple-double, and it’s just another night at the office for Ben Simmons. What was more encouraging than anything from Ben was that for the second straight game, he was aggressively attacking the basket off the dribble in the fourth quarter. The 6’10” point guard was successful getting some flushes around the basket on both post-ups and smart off-ball cuts. His work in transition was also highly effective, per usual. Brett Brown has discussed how Simmons might have the biggest adjustment to make with Jimmy Butler’s arrival, but he seems to be finding his way now.

Mike Muscala: 19 points, 5 rebounds

Playing some extended minutes as the backup five, Muscala had his best game as a Sixer, dropping a season-high 19 points, shooting 4-for-6 from the field, 2-for-3 from three, and 9-for-11 from the foul line. Moose was the primary reason the Sixers finished the game with a 21-0 edge in second chance points, relentlessly working on the offensive glass. The three offensive rebounds were terrific, but don’t quite tell the full story for Muscala, who had to be fouled on multiple occasions by less energetic Suns defenders to keep him from accruing even more. Add his ability to stretch the floor as a big man, and Muscala has been a positive member of this Sixers rotation.

JJ Redick: 17 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists

The two-man game between Redick and Embiid looked particularly unstoppable tonight, yielding some WIDE open lanes for the rolling big man. The Suns were definitely paying close attention to the Sixers sharpshooter, who had a solid, if not remarkable, 6-13 line from the field (2-6 from three). What made Redick’s night especially impressive was that most of it came with some cotton balls shoved up his nostrils to stop a bloody nose. Twice, Redick had to go to the locker room after getting hit in the face. You don’t need to embody the ‘spirit of Rocky and Creed’ quite so literally, JJ.

Jimmy Butler: 16 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals

Butler took a bit of a back seat on the offense, as he was tasked with chasing Devin Booker around the court on the other end. Still, he played an efficient game, shooting 4-9 from the field and 8-8 from the foul line. Most crucially, Butler received the seal of approval from the organization’s Patron Saint of Competitive Personalities, sharing this infinitely long hug with Allen Iverson after the game that still might be going on as you’re reading this article.