Sixers Bell Ringer: It’s official, the Sixers are the top seed in the East after crushing Orlando

Sixers Bell Ringer season standings:

Joel Embiid - 26
Tobias Harris - 13
Ben Simmons - 13
Shake Milton - 7
Tyrese Maxey - 3
Matisse Thybulle - 2
Danny Green - 2
Furkan Korkmaz - 2
Dakota Mathias - 1
Tony Bradley - 1

After two false alarms, the Sixers can now finally pop the champagne, securing the first overall seed for the Eastern Conference playoffs with a 122-97 dismantling of the Orlando Magic. Orlando hung around in the first quarter thanks to a hot start from behind the arc, but the Sixers’ oft-maligned all-bench lineup actually created some separation early in the second quarter. The starters took it from there, with Philadelphia ultimately outscoring the Magic, 39-19, in the second frame. Against an Orlando squad with lottery balls on the brain, there was no real threat of a comeback, so the Sixers were able to empty the bench early and allow fans to soak in the first number-one seed in exactly 20 years. Let’s select our clinched-the-top-seed Bell Ringer.

Seth Curry: 20 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover

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Curry continued his strong month of May, tallying 20 points for the third time in the last seven games, and shooting 24-of-39 behind the arc over that time frame. The Sixers are now undefeated in the 11 games when Seth hits that 20-point mark. The veteran guard utilized a number of Joel Embiid screens, either immediately letting it fly let fans love to see, or curling in and driving to the basket. Seth didn’t miss a shot in the third quarter, scoring 10 points in the period to help ensure the starters could call it an early night.

Ben Simmons: 13 points, 4 rebounds, 9 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 0 turnovers

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While the Magic weren’t exactly forming a wall out there, this was the better version of Ben on offense, getting a full head of steam in transition and assuming lead playmaker duties. Simmons assisted on six 3-pointers, and found a cutting Shake Milton with a perfectly-timed pass under the basket. His left-handed full-court bounce pass to Tyrese Maxey was a thing of sheer beauty.

Shake Milton: 15 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 0 turnovers

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Shake produced his second-straight double-digit effort off the bench, shooting 7-of-10 from the field in just 18 minutes of action. The second-unit guard was a composed playmaker out there, finding a cutting Furkan Korkmaz for a dunk in the opening period. Milton then played a big role in the game-changing run, scoring six points in those opening minutes of the second quarter. Orlando had no answer for Shake’s full arsenal of change-of-pace moves and off-balance floaters.

Mike Scott: 8 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 blocks, 0 turnovers

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Mike Scott catches a lot of grief in certain Sixers fans circles, but he did a great job filling in for the suspended Dwight Howard as the backup five. Far from being a defensive liability, Scott recorded three blocks, including an absolute smothering of a Mo Bamba hook shot right in front of the basket. He knocked down a pair of spot-up 3s, and even flashed some off-the-dribble verve into a pull-up jumper late in the first quarter. Take a celebratory lap, Hive.

Isaiah Joe: 11 points, 1 turnover

Joe entered the game in the fourth quarter and immediately looked comfortable, smoothly pump-faking from the corner and ducking in for the mid-range pull-up. He would then concentrate his efforts behind the arc, nailing two quick-trigger spot-up 3s, followed by a high degree-of-difficulty stepback. Sure, it was against the reserves from the last-place team in the Eastern Conference, but those shots would play against anyone.