Sixers Bell Ringer: Game 5 - Korkmaz game-winner caps wild comeback win

For a refresher on our Bell Ringer series, take a look back at our first post of the season.

Bell Ringer Standings

Joel Embiid - 2
Ben Simmons - 1
Tobias Harris - 1

Without Joel Embiid, the Sixers trailed Portland by as many as 21 points, but clawed their way back to take their first lead of the game on two Ben Simmons free throws with 10.1 seconds remaining. Anfernee Simons nailed a corner 3 with 2.6 seconds left to put the Blazers back ahead by two points, setting the stage for a Furkan Korkmaz game-winning 3 with 0.4 seconds on the clock. The Sixers remain the league’s only undefeated team at 5-0. Here are your Bell Ringer candidates:

Furkan Korkmaz: 11 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks

Sixers fans had to start walking back their “Why is Furkan playing?” takes after his 17-point outing against the Wolves, but now the doubters have to draw up a full, notarized letter of apology. Korkmaz shot 3-of-6 from downtown, and looked frisky with a behind-the-back pass to Tobias Harris underneath for a bucket. He also gave effort defensively, drawing two charges and slapping the ball away from Mario Hezonja on a drive, leading to a turnover. Of course, Furkan’s Bell Ringer candidacy begins and ends with his game-winner, an absolutely CLUTCH turnaround 3 that had me yelping out loud in jubilation/disbelief on early Sunday morning on the East Coast. Forget Dame time. Forget Daylight Savings Time. It’s Furkan time!

Al Horford: 25 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 1 turnover

Getting the start at center, Horford stepped up once again with Embiid unavailable. Al was as steady as they come, bodying an undersized Portland front line with baby hooks, duck-ins, and finishes as the roll man. The Sixers went to the pick-and-pop play with Horford in the final minute and Big Al rumbled down the lane and slammed it home with authority to bring the team back within one point. He also set the bone-crushing screen to free Furkan up on that final play. What a strong all-around performance for Horford.

Raul Neto: 4 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal

A wise man from New Jersey once said “you can’t start a fire without a spark,” and Raul Neto was that spark for the Philadelphia 76ers tonight. His stat line doesn’t look much, but Neto completely turned the game around in his eight minutes on the court, as demonstrated by his game-high-tying plus-13 mark. Raul brought life to the defensive end for the Sixers, finished a circus shot in transition, and dropped a couple dimes (the hesitation dribble to occupy Horford’s defender long enough to loft it over to Al was outstanding). I’m sure he earned himself a longer look in the rotation in Phoenix.

Tobias Harris: 23 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 1 turnover

Tobias was a consistent offensive threat for the Sixers on the evening, shooting 10-of-15 from the field. His ability to drive and finish around the rim kept Philadelphia just close enough during the dry spells that they were finally able to close the gap in the fourth quarter. Harris also had some nice defensive moments, both with the blocks and one possession where he held his own in isolation against Damian Lillard. I’d like to see more than two 3-point attempts from one of the team’s few perimeter weapons, but can’t fault the results from Tobi in Portland.

Ben Simmons: 18 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, 3 turnovers

Yes, Ben was bad for a large portion of this game. He completely disappeared offensively after the first quarter until the final stretch run, and made some poor gambles on the defensive end. But Simmons was also instrumental in the team’s final surge — that steal off Lillard leading to a slam with three minutes left was an All-Defense-caliber play. To top it off, Ben Simmons, of the five million conversations concerning his shooting, calmly swished home two free throws to give the Sixers their first lead of the game with seconds left. Props for that fortitude if nothing else.