Sixers Bell Ringer: Game 65 - Chicago serves Philadelphia a deep-dish of disappointment

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

Bell Ringer Season Standings:

Joel Embiid - 21
Ben Simmons - 17
Jimmy Butler - 8
JJ Redick - 7
Tobias Harris - 3
Robert Covington - 1
Dario Saric - 1
T.J. McConnell - 1
Furkan Korkmaz - 1
Landry Shamet - 1
Corey Brewer - 1
Boban Marjanovic - 1
Mike Scott - 1

After blowing a 10-point fourth quarter lead, the Sixers still led by one in the closing seconds when Jimmy Butler and Mike Scott both went after Robin Lopez in the pick-and-roll, despite Zach LaVine HAVING THE BALL and already having scored 37 points. LaVine drove carefree and finished at the rim, giving Chicago the 108-107 win. Even a clock operator error offering the Sixers a chance to replay the final 0.5 seconds couldn’t save them from themselves. Philadelphia may really come to regret this loss in the fight for the 3-seed. Anyway, here are your Bell Ringer candidates, which can only be accompanied by cries of ‘Shame!’ tonight.

Jimmy Butler: 22 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 2 turnovers

Butler was understandably pissed on the bench after the final LaVine play — you have to believe Scott was supposed to switch there. Jimmy really wanted to win this game against his old club, leading the team with 18 field goal attempts (making eight). He was ever so close to being the hero, as his two free throws with 4.8 seconds left put the Sixers momentarily back in front.

Ben Simmons: 18 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 steals, 5 turnovers

I must say, I really enjoy Simmons’ new (?) habit of turning away from the play and heading downcourt after tossing a dime for an easy dunk or layup. For the third straight game, Ben shot the ball well from the free throw line (81.8 percent over that stretch - progress?). He also made a couple absolutely outstanding defensive plays in the closing minutes. On one, he played the Zach LaVine-Robin Lopez pick-and-roll perfectly, staying with LaVine and anticipating the pass to create a deflection and a run-out the other way. Simmons also scram-switched over to Lauri Markannen at the last second near the basket and knocked it out of his hands for a steal.

Amir Johnson: 9 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 2 turnovers

For the second night in a row, the Sixers got more than could be reasonably expected from Amir Johnson. He shot 3-for-4 from the field, including 1-for-2 from behind the arc, and even broke down Markannen off the dribble for another hop-in-the-time-machine dunk. I wouldn’t have minded seeing him back out there in the final minutes when Mike Scott was getting worked over by Robin Lopez.

James Ennis III: 11 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks, 0 turnovers

What was easily Ennis’ best performance as a Sixer had to put him in pole position in the quiet tournament for the last wing rotation spot. Ennis hit one of his two 3-point attempts, had a terrific drive to the hoop from the top of the key, and was active on the glass. Oh yeah, and he rose up and touched the top of the Willis Tower.