Sixers Bell Ringer: Game 16 - Sixers extinguish Heat in Jimmy Butler’s return

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 - 3
Tobias Harris - 3
Furkan Korkmaz - 1
Al Horford - 1

Jimmy Butler made his first trip back to Philadelphia since he and the Sixers parted ways over the summer. The Sixers had all five starters available, a rarity this season, and quickly jumped out to an 11-2 lead, which then became 28-8, and eventually ballooned into a 41-point advantage. Brett Brown emptied the bench early and the final score was 113-86. Here are your Bell Ringer candidates, all of whom outperformed Butler’s 4-of-13 shooting, minus-31 night:

Josh Richardson: 32 points, 1 rebound, 4 assists, 1 steal, 0 turnovers

Butler received much of the attention, but there was another member of that sign-and-trade facing his former team for the first time, and Josh Richardson seemed determined to prove Miami made a mistake letting him go. Richardson went off for a season-high 32 points, shooting 11-of-15 from the field and a sparkling 6-of-7 from 3.

You had a feeling it was his night early in the game when J-Rich sank a 3 from the left wing despite being fouled by Kendrick Nunn for a 4-point play. He had a few open looks, but many of his makes were highly contested. Time and again, Tyler Herro or another Heat perimeter defender would be just a split second late as Josh pulled up and sank another 3 or mid-range jumper. The man couldn’t miss, and he couldn’t help but smile as the points kept piling up in the second half.

Joel Embiid: 23 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers

Worried about Embiid playing on a back-to-back? Well, just blow out the opposition so he only has to play 26 minutes. Problem solved. JoJo was clearly hyped for this game, unleashing both the finger guns and the “are you not entertained” arms after buckets. The outside shot was working, with Embiid shooting 2-of-3 from 3, and he single-handedly stopped a 2-on-1 fast break by swatting Duncan Robinson’s running lay-up. The Sixers didn’t necessarily need a dominant Embiid against Miami, but it was good to know he could always posterize Meyers Leonard, if called upon.

Al Horford: 16 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 turnover

Big Al was hyper-efficient, finishing 7-of-9 from the field and 2-of-2 from 3. Curiously, all of Horford’s points came from shots outside the paint, as for the second game in a row, he was en fuego from the mid-range. I know we associate Al with passing up good shots for great shots, but they’re all great shots if they go in.

Tobias Harris: 19 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 0 turnovers

Tobi was a game-high plus-38, knocking down seven of his 11 shots from the floor, with five of those makes coming right at the basket. Twice, Harris made smart cuts from the top of the key and dove to the rim. I also liked when he had Kelly Olynyk switched onto him, and immediately recognized the situation and drove baseline for a reverse lay-up. Tobias has to take advantage of those mismatches. Plus, Harris has definitely improved defensively this season; in the past, I’m not sure he could track a small guard like Nunn and come away with this steal.

Ben Simmons: 4 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 steals, 3 turnovers

Ben set the tone in the opening minute for the game’s first points, absolutely picking Kendrick Nunn’s pocket and finishing with a sweeping finger roll. His three other steals also quickly led to points and Simmons assists to Matisse Thybulle, James Ennis, and Richardson. Tonight wasn’t a game when the Sixers struggled to find offense, but generally, the creation of those transition opportunities is such a valuable thing to bring to the table.