Sixers Bell Ringer: Game 28

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

Bell Ringer Season Standings:

Joel Embiid - 9
Ben Simmons - 6
Jimmy Butler - 5
JJ Redick - 4
Robert Covington - 1
Dario Saric - 1
T.J. McConnell - 1

The Pistons rested Blake Griffin Monday night, but the missing star quotient evened out when Jimmy Butler left the game in the first half with a strained groin. Nevertheless, a strong collaborative team effort powered the Sixers past Detroit in a 116-102 victory.

Ben Simmons: 18 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, 1 block

Simmons set the tone for the Sixers, making his first five field goals to score 11 points in the game’s opening six minutes. Ben was as implacable as a wildebeest stampede, charging down the lane or powering through defenders in the low post. He worked hard on the glass (collecting four offensive rebounds), kept the turnovers in check (committing just a pair), and played disruptive defense to jump-start some fast breaks. The 2-for-9 night at the foul line was bad, yes, but Simmons did more than enough in every other area to make up for that single negative contribution on the evening.

Joel Embiid: 24 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks

“Fresh” off a bout of diarrhea and a migraine, Monday night wasn’t the Drummond-shaming performance we’ve come to expect from Embiid against the Pistons. Still, after a slow start where he mainly hung around the perimeter, Embiid got rolling as the game went along, particularly during a 10-point third quarter. The big man was active on the perimeter defensively, and also showed off one of the better throws we’ve seen from a Philadelphia athlete recently.

Furkan Korkmaz: 18 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal

Many a Kork was popped in celebration following a career-high 18 points from Furkan. Playing extended minutes to the Butler injury, Korkmaz made Monday night look like summer league, going 7-for-12 from the field, including a 4-for-7 mark from behind the arc. The Turkish wing hustled all over the court for loose balls, got out in transition, and, of course, knocked down open shots. He even splashed home a stepback 3-pointer reminiscent of a Butler game-winner. Some team is going to dish out some Furkan money for Korkmaz next summer.

T.J. McConnell: 14 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals

His gritness doubled his season total for made threes by knocking down a pair in three attempts. Those shots are big for floor spacing when the injury-shortened rotation forces Brett Brown to play TJ more minutes alongside Simmons. McConnell was pesky defensively, set his teammates up for success with some sharp dishes, worked the mid-range game, and even flashed this circus shot around the rim.