Sixers Bubble Bell Ringer: Philadelphia outlasts Washington for rare “road” win

If you need a Bell Ringer refresher, check out the first such post of the season. Here are the full season standings, which include the Bubble games:

Bell Ringer Standings

Ben Simmons - 16
Joel Embiid - 13 (includes 1 Bubble)
Tobias Harris - 12
Josh Richardson - 8
Furkan Korkmaz - 6
Shake Milton - 4 (includes 1 Bubble)
Matisse Thybulle - 3
Al Horford - 2
James Ennis - 1
Raul Neto - 1
Glenn Robinson III - 1

The Sixers shook off the specter of their “road” game curse, using a 13-0 run across the end of the third and beginning of the fourth quarters to create some breathing room against a feisty Wizards squad in an eventual 107-98 victory. However, the only takeaway of consequence from this game is the health of Ben Simmons, who left the game in the third quarter with a left knee injury and did not return. Sixers fans will have to take solace that early indications are “encouraging.”

But you never want one of your star players limping as he exits the arena.

Anyway, while we cross our fingers for Ben, let’s choose a Bell Ringer.

Joel Embiid: 30 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks, 3 turnovers

Embiid continues to thrive in the Orlando bubble, coming away with a third-straight dominant effort during these seeding games. The big man was the driving force behind the team’s game-changing run mentioned above, scoring 12 of Philadelphia’s 15 points around that stretch. Whether he was hitting fadeaway jumpers, pump-faking and driving, or working out of the post, Joel had his way with the Wizards frontcourt, collecting multiple and-ones along the way as part of an 8-of-9 day at the foul line. In our continued watch of his work out of double teams, Embiid made one excellent read to find Tobias Harris in the opposite corner, who then drove and scored on a goaltending call.

Shake Milton: 14 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 0 turnovers

Milton’s hot hand from his game-winner against San Antonio carried over to this afternoon’s game against Washington, as the guard hit two 3-pointers in the first quarter. Shake was fairly quiet for much of the remainder of the game, until he knocked down back-to-back jumpers late in the fourth quarter, after which he chirped to the bench some form of “I’ve got this.” The young man has moxie. Then, while not being known for his defense, Milton came up with one of the biggest plays of the game on that end, blocking Ish Smith on a drive in a two-possession game with a minute left.

Tobias Harris: 17 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 2 turnovers

Harris wasn’t quite as effective as the first two seeding games, but if 17 points on 8-of-18 shooting is going to be a “down” game for Tobi, the Sixers will be thrilled. The forward turned things up when it mattered most, dropping nine points in the fourth quarter, including six straight of the Sixers’ points midway through the period to help keep the Wizards at bay. I’d like to see him get to the free throw line at least once, but overall, good effort from Tobias.

Alec Burks: 9 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 1 steal, 0 turnovers

Burks took the baton from Raul Neto in the backup point guard race, and he should hold onto it for the foreseeable future. The former Warrior was a perfect 2-of-2 from downtown, as he’s not afraid to rise and fire in catch-and-shoot situations. Alec has been playing well dating back to the scrimmage games, adding more verve and playmaking ability than the team’s other options off the bench. While whatever happens with Ben’s knee will shake up the lineup, Burks deserves that 9th man spot when the Sixers are back to full health.