Sixers Bell Ringer: Sixers defeat Sacramento for fourth straight road win – Liberty Ballers

Sixers Bell Ringer Season Standings:

Joel Embiid – 11
Tobias Harris – 5
Shake Milton – 3
Ben Simmons – 3
Tyrese Maxey – 1
Dakota Mathias – 1

After sleepwalking on the defensive end in the first half and allowing Sacramento to score 71 points in the first half, the Sixers clamped down defensively after halftime, holding the Kings to just 20 points apiece in the third and fourth quarters. A pivotal 10-0 run midway through the final frame allowed the Sixers to retake the lead, and they held on for the 119-111 win. It was the team’s fourth straight win on the road (what a difference a year makes!) and the 14th consecutive win to start the season with the full starting lineup available. Now for the Bell Ringer nominees…

Tobias Harris: 22 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover

To paraphrase a Zumoff-ism, Tobias came up large in the fourth quarter tonight, scoring 12 points in the period. It was a Harris 3 with 6:40 left in the game that gave the Sixers their first lead since the second quarter, and it followed it up with another huge triple a couple minutes later to make it a three-possession game. 8-of-15 from the field and 2-of-5 from behind the arc — just another ho-hum, efficient outing for the team’s new Mr. Consistent, who is making a habit of not shrinking in the big moments.

Seth Curry: 22 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 3 turnovers

I think tonight was a hopeful sign that Seth might be feeling better. Recently slowed by illness post-COVID, Curry broke out for his most points since his 28-point total against the Wizards on January 6, scoring 16 of his 22 points prior to halftime to help the Sixers stay within striking distance. The sharpshooter finished 4-of-6 from downtown, and the pull-up jumper was as sweet as ever. We’re now a couple games removed from Seth’s consecutive scoreless outings; it should be all systems go moving forward, which spells trouble for the opposition.

Joel Embiid: 25 points, 17 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 4 turnovers

For much of the game, tonight was a poor night by Joel’s MVP ceiling standards. Now, he still drew plenty of fouls (13-of-14 at the line overall) and an outstanding chasedown block that was the perfect cross-section of hustle and instinctive timing. But he was strangely passive for the first few quarters offensively, despite extended stretches with Marvin Bagley covering him. That is, to say, UNTIL the fourth quarter, when he shifted into Destroyer of Worlds mode. Embiid scored 10 points in the final period, and suddenly ratcheted up the defensive effort, stifling everything the Kings tried to do upon entering the lane. We should also give Joel props for his season-high six assists. Still, it’s crazy to see his final line, which would be a season-best for a much of the league, and consider, “Hmm, Joel didn’t have his best stuff tonight.”

Furkan Korkmaz: 13 points, 3 rebounds, 0 turnovers

Like the game-winner over Portland, sometimes the late-night West Coast games just bring out the best in Furkan. The young wing was en fuego in the first half, making all five of his field goals, including a pair of 3s. He also threw down a thunderous dunk, driving from the left wing and throwing it down with the right hand; I would have given it a 6-out-of-10 at the dunk contest (needed a Vader mask). Korkmaz cooled in the second half, but for a few minutes tonight, Furkanity was in full effect.

Matisse Thybulle: 0 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 0 turnovers

De’Aaron Fox first half: 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting.

De’Aaron Fox second half: 11 points on 4-of-17 shooting.

The Sixers don’t win this game tonight without Matisse assuming primary defensive responsibility for Fox in the second half.

Ben Simmons: 14 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers

Ben jumped out to a quick start in this one, scoring a team-high nine points in the first quarter. He was looking to be aggressive and attack in transition, which is when he is at his best. Even when the lane was closed off to him, his speed in pushing the ball down the court more often than not freed up a teammate for an open look around the perimeter. The league leader for 3-point assists recorded four more on the evening.