Sixers Bell Ringer: Another Hawk-Stomping in Philadelphia

Note: There is no standard recap post for tonight’s game.

Sixers Bell Ringer season standings:

Joel Embiid - 23
Tobias Harris - 13
Ben Simmons - 9
Shake Milton - 6
Tyrese Maxey - 3
Matisse Thybulle - 2
Danny Green - 2
Furkan Korkmaz - 2
Dakota Mathias - 1
Tony Bradley - 1

Spirits were high in the Wells Fargo Center with new first-round pick Devonta Smith and fellow Eagles in the house to ring the Bell. However, with Trae Young (32 points) back in the lineup, the Hawks got off to a much better start than Wednesday night, even going on a 13-0 run early in the first quarter. But led by a strong bench effort, the Sixers would climb back into things, before breaking the game wide open with a 42-20 second quarter. While Atlanta competed enough to keep this contest from becoming a laugher, the Sixers still coasted and earned plenty of rest for the starters in the 126-104 win. Philadelphia has definitely taken care of business so far as they close out this weak portion of the schedule to end the regular season. Bell Ringer time.

Dwight Howard: 19 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks, 1 turnover

Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

Tonight was a time machine game for Dwight, who picked up a season-high point total on 8-of-11 shooting from the field. Young Onyeka Okongwu ended his night with five fouls, twice comically trying to wrap himself up around Dwight’s mountainous shoulders, only for the Sixers big man to power through and convert the lay-up anyway. Howard was simply too powerful for the oft-undersized Atlanta frontcourt, bullying his way into five offensive rebounds, and usually punctuating his putbacks with a fist pump or a flex. He also got up for a terrific weak-side block of Danilo Gallinari and smothered a Lou Williams drive. What a revenge game for the veteran against one of his many former clubs.

Ben Simmons: 18 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 0 turnovers

Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

Ben has certainly looked reinvigorated since his illness-related absence. The Sixers’ point guard had a strong first half with 14 points, doing some dirty work around the basket and even hitting a fadeaway jumper out of a post-up on the block. However, his sequence late in the second quarter will definitely lead or close his season highlight reel. Simmons drove by his defender for a thunderous dunk down the lane. Then, on Atlanta’s next possession, Ben blocked John Collins with a real “snuffing out your little brother’s shot while laughing” vibe, and led the runout downcourt for a lob assist to Joel Embiid. After that, you could practically see the entire Hawks team’s thought bubble saying “why are we even bothering out here?”

Tobias Harris: 18 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 0 turnovers

Tobi was the model of efficiency Friday night, shooting 7-of-13 from the field, including 2-of-4 from behind the arc, without turning the ball over. The full breadth of Harris’ offensive game was on display. He scored out of a post-up opportunity, casually hit a smooth stepback 3 from the corner, drove down the lane for a powerful left-handed dunk (drink, Daniel Olinger), and hit his make-them-look-easy contested mid-range jumpers. Harris’ ability to combat the defense from any angle creates such great lineup flexibility and allows him to succeed with basically any different grouping.

Matisse Thybulle: 10 points, 1 rebound, 5 assists, 4 steals, 0 turnovers

Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

All hail, Matisse Thybulle, master thief, and apparently now a frequent dunker. As usual, a couple of Thybulle’s steals were simply ridiculous. He hustled back to break up a lob pass, but rather than deflect the ball (what most guys would do and we would call it a good play), Matisse snatched it out of the air with one hand. Then, of course, the backcourt steal of a Solomon Hill pass, which would could have dubbed a McConnell, expect T.J. never subsequently dunked in the guy’s grill. I mean, the dunks! Matisse is out there catching oops and driving in from the wing for a two-handed slam. Plus, none of his assists were too crazy, but Thybulle did have a couple drive-and-dish feeds that looked like him spreading his wings. I’m loving watching this level-up from Matisse.