Sixers Bell Ringer: Starting unit digs an enormous hole in Denver

Sixers Bell Ringer Season Standings:

Joel Embiid - 17
Tobias Harris - 10
Ben Simmons - 7
Shake Milton - 4
Matisse Thybulle - 2
Danny Green - 2
Tyrese Maxey - 1
Dakota Mathias - 1
Furkan Korkmaz - 1
Tony Bradley - 1

Whether it was a combination of the long road trip, the altitude in Denver, or just simply an off night, the Sixers didn’t have “it” against the Nuggets. Picture Gene Hackman in The Replacement saying “gotta have heart.” The first quarter was disastrous, as the Nuggets waltzed to the basket at will and hit what seemed like every shot, doubling up Philadelphia, 44-22. Most of the game then had a “feel free to concentrate on Elite 8 action” vibe. The Sixers’ bench unit did manage to cut Denver’s lead to 13 early in the fourth quarter, but some tough jumpers from a scorching hot Jamal Murray (game-high 30 points) quickly put to rest any hopes of a miraculous comeback. The bench crew stayed feisty and forced Nikola Jokic back into the game (moral victory!), but the Nuggets prevailed, 104-95. Bell Ringer time.

Mike Scott: 9 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, 0 turnovers

Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images

Scott finished 3-of-7 from behind the arc, but I came away most impressed by his physicality on the defensive end. As Eagles tailgaters know, Scott is not one to shy away from contact. He was out there creating a jump-ball tie-up, and bodying Jokic in the post enough times to punch the ball free for the steal. A veteran could have treated that fourth quarter as mop-up time and went through the motions, but Scott played fiery and I appreciated it.

Furkan Korkmaz: 6 points, 2 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks, 0 turnovers

Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images

Usually if Furkan appears on one of these lists, it’s because he had a hot shooting night. Not so this evening, as Korkmaz couldn’t find the range from outside, shooting 0-of-4 from 3. The Turkish wing was terrific on the defensive end, however, collecting a career-high five stocks. He was very active and making anticipatory plays to close the gaps in the passing lanes. Korkmaz was a core ingredient in the Sixers’ early fourth-quarter surge to make the game look respectable. Oh, and he got yet another defender to bite on his pump-fake jumper.

Tyrese Maxey: 13 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 0 turnovers

Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images

Having already established this season that Maxey can score against the Nuggets, it was good to see the rookie play well in what were some of the more watchable minutes for the Sixers tonight. Tyrese actually led Philadelphia in scoring with his 13 points, showing off his world-class burst in getting to the basket and earning a couple trips to the foul line. He even converted on one of his three 3-point attempts. It was Maxey’s first double-digit outing in about six weeks. Tyrese was at the heart of the Kyle Lowry and other trade rumors at the deadline. Still wonderful to have you around, rook.