Sixers Bell Ringer: Sixers dominant on both ends in win over Indiana – Liberty Ballers

Note: No traditional recap post for this game.

Sixers Bell Ringer Season Standings:

Joel Embiid – 15
Ben Simmons – 7
Tobias Harris – 6
Shake Milton – 3
Tyrese Maxey – 1
Dakota Mathias – 1
Matisse Thybulle – 1

For a change, the Philadelphia 76ers were on the right side of a lopsided 3-point disparity, knocking down 15 triples, to just eight for the Indiana Pacers, in a convincing 130-114 victory. Philadelphia took control in the second quarter, outscoring Indiana 39-23 in the period to lead by 17 at the half. The Sixers then broke the game wide open with a 15-0 run in the third quarter, allowing the starters to take in the fourth quarter from the socially-distanced bench area. Let’s select tonight’s Bell Ringer, with apologies to some of the omissions in what was an excellent team-wide performance.

Joel Embiid: 24 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 block, 2 turnovers

Golf clap for Myles Turner, who didn’t get in foul trouble for a change while guarding Joel Embiid. However, I’m not sure Turner actually did anything to slow down Joel. The Sixers big man was outstanding in his 27 minutes of action, shooting 10-of-17 from the floor and 3-of-3 from the foul line. Indiana threw a lot of early double teams at Joel, but he quickly made the right reads to find open teammates for 3. Otherwise, Embiid dished out his usual punishment on the interior, but also had the jump shot working, including this Markelle Fultz Memorial hesi pull-up jimbo from the top of the key. Real hoopers know.

Shake Milton: 26 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 turnovers

The calendar flips to March and Shake Milton flips the switch into domination mode. The Sixers’ sixth man was a walking bucket Monday night, shooting 9-of-14 from the field, 3-of-5 from 3, and 5-of-5 from the charity stripe. Shake connected on a 4-point play early, and kept pouring it on with his usual array of pull-up jumpers and contorted finishes. He also had some terrific set-ups for his teammates, finding Tony Bradley late in the game for a dunk that had Marc and Alaa laughing about the “Milton, Bradley” of it all. Shake getting to his spots with ease and crossing defenders out of their shoes? Sign me up.

Ben Simmons: 18 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 4 turnovers

(Guest post section from my wife, who has gotten on the Ben as her favorite Sixer bandwagon this season.)

Ben did great. He’s a champ. Smooth style, effortless grace.

Mike Scott: 11 points, 4 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 turnovers

Fours were wild for the Sixers’ fill-in replacement at the 4-spot. Mike Scott went a perfect 4-of-4 from the field, including 3-of-3 from 3, playing that floor spacing role to perfection. He also recorded a career-high four steals. Sorry, All-Star Domantas Sabonis, this is real man stuff here in the paint.

Furkan Korkmaz: 19 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers

Furkan was pivotal in the Sixers’ first big surge tonight, knocking down four 3s across a three-minute stretch in the middle of the second quarter. Korkmaz had the green light all evening long, finishing 6-of-13 from behind the arc. Make it rain, Furky.