For a refresher on our Bell Ringer series, take a look back at our first post of the season.
Bell Ringer Standings
Joel Embiid - 4
Josh Richardson - 3
Ben Simmons - 2
Tobias Harris - 1
Furkan Korkmaz - 1
Al Horford - 1
That’s more like it! The Sixers had arguably their most dominant effort of the season, using a 17-2 first-quarter run to propel them ahead to what would eventually grow into a 31-point lead. Let’s choose a Bell Ringer from a tremendous across-the-board performance in the 114-95 win over the Cavaliers.
Tobias Harris: 27 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 1 turnover
You have to love when that regression to the mean works in your favor. It’s safe to say Tobi’s slump is over, as he followed up a good shooting performance against Oklahoma City with a 12-of-14 afternoon from the field in Cleveland. Harris raced up and down the floor for easy buckets in transition, worked the dribble-drive game to get to the rim or pull up for a smooth mid-range jumper, and punished Collin Sexton with some bully ball down low. I loved how when the game had become semi-competitive midway through the fourth quarter, Tobi stepped up with some big buckets, including his first made 3 of the game.
In other areas of his game, all four of Tobi’s assists went to either Joel Embiid or Al Horford, playmaking you need to see from Harris if he’s going to play down a position with both those big men. Harris also had a strong game defensively with four stocks; both of his blocks came on rejections of a driving Collin Sexton, a good sign for his prospects of guarding smaller players moving forward.
Tobi said gimme that back. pic.twitter.com/TQ7X9QMUX8
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) November 17, 2019
Al Horford: 11 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers
Today’s game was a perfect snapshot of the sort of all-around performance to explain to people how Al Horford impacts a basketball game. He was a smothering presence in pick-and-roll defense, and made some great disruptive plays. Offensively, he was selective (4-of-6 from the field), but made a couple timely jumpers, and acted as a passing hub, excelling in drive-and-kick, finding guys underneath in the high-low game, or kicking out himself from the post.
Ben Simmons: 10 points, 4 rebounds, 11 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 3 turnovers
As the old saying goes, even if you have a 6-foot-10 point guard who won’t shoot from the outside, you still have a 6-foot-10 point guard. Simmons shot 5-of-8 from the field, twice getting good post position and easily finishing over a much smaller defender. The reverse worked in the Sixers’ favor as well, as Ben blocked both Darius Garland and Collin Sexton, throwing one Sexton shot attempt all the way to the LeBron James Academy in Akron. The headline of Simmons’ performance was the passing, though, with Ben recording a season-high 11 assists. He pushed the pace and found open teammates in transition on a number of occasions, and more than once, kicked it out for a 3 from the post. I loved seeing all the ways Simmons was able to warp the court with his size and vision during this game.
@BenSimmons25 | #PhilaUnite pic.twitter.com/w8PtChdmCB
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) November 17, 2019
James Ennis: 14 points, 4 rebounds, 1 block, 1 turnover
When the Sixers get one or two big performances from their bench guys, fans will more than likely be happy with the game’s final outcome. Ennis entered the game and immediately made an impact, hitting a 3 from the right corner. That hot shooting continued throughout the game, as James finished 5-of-7 from the field and 3-of-4 from 3. He made a couple off-ball cuts to earn a trip to the foul line and later convert an open lay-up. Easily, though, Ennis’ play of the game was when he came from the weak side to block a Matthew Dellavedova shot right as it left the Aussie’s hands, and then finished under control on the ensuing fast break.
Matisse Thybulle: 8 points, 1 rebound, 1 turnover
Matisse was far from the most impactful player today, but I wanted to highlight his performance because (pauses for dramatic effect) he looked like he knew what he was doing offensively. Thybulle knocked down a corner catch-and-shoot 3. Great, but we’ve seen that before. More importantly, twice, he took his man off the dribble and slammed the ball home for two. If the Sixers can get this version of Matisse offensively, with his usual chaos element on defense, they have themselves a heck of a player.
TISSE TAKIN' IT @MatisseThybulle | #PhilaUnite pic.twitter.com/hv2lnLNWyK
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) November 17, 2019
Poll
Who is the Bell Ringer for the win in Cleveland?
This poll is closed
-
86%
Tobias Harris
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0%
Al Horford
-
8%
Ben Simmons
-
2%
James Ennis
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2%
Matisse Thybulle