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Playoff Bell Ringer standings:
Tobias Harris - 3
Joel Embiid - 3
Tyrese Maxey - 2
James Harden - 2
After a pair of enthralling home victories to knot this second-round series at two, the Philadelphia 76ers ventured to FTX Arena for Tuesday’s Game 5 against the Miami Heat. Rather than continue their string of encouraging outings, they stumbled to a 120-85 rout. Miami now leads the series 3-2, with a do-or-die Game 6 looming Thursday for the Sixers. The entire starting five played below its typical standards. Paul Reed was solid. Shake Milton provided a few good moments. Not much to report here. It’s time to talk Bell Ringer. Let’s get to it.
Paul Reed: Seven points, eight rebounds, two assists, two steals, one block
Even before Philadelphia plotted the white flag in the fourth quarter, Reed brought good minutes during his stint. He snagged a couple offensive rebounds in the second quarter to help produce six points, applied active hands for a takeaway and used his sprightly athleticism to hold down the defensive glass. Reed didn’t return until Miami led 90-66 early in the fourth quarter. But he maximized his closing minutes with four more points, another steal, one block and an assist, including a snazzy behind-the-back feed. The dude’s got game and showcased it in an otherwise frustrating team-wide performance.
Joel Embiid: 17 points, five rebounds, two assists, one steal
Make no mistake, this was not a sterling game from Embiid. But we’re looking for anyone to supplement Reed on a night so many struggled to great depths. Late in the third, Embiid gave Philadelphia an ounce of hope with nine points in two minutes, exploiting Dewayne Dedmon on face-up touches. At various times, he bothered Miami ball-handlers in pick-and-rolls defensively, though also played too timidly and allowed clean finishes on other occasions. The Heat’s fronting of his post-ups, led by Bam Adebayo, stymied him for lengthy portions of the game. He’ll need to generate more advantageous situations offensively for the Sixers to win Thursday.
everyone get out the way! pic.twitter.com/yG2iRrIXRR
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) May 10, 2022
Shake Milton: Nine points, four rebounds, two steals, one assist
Milton’s 2-of-8 shooting line is deceiving, with three of those misses coming after the benches had been emptied. In the first half, he offered a spark by drilling a three, hitting a runner and attacking Miami’s zone leading to a putback from Reed. The Sixers’ reserve guards have been quiet this playoff run and Milton authored a little second-quarter punch.
Poll
Who is Tuesday’s Game 5 Bell Ringer?
This poll is closed
-
78%
Paul Reed
-
12%
Joel Embiid
-
8%
Shake Milton
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