Sixers Bell Ringer: Sixers’ biggest stars shine despite defeat to Portland

Sixers Bell Ringer season ranking:

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

Portland started on Thursday night by hitting seven of his first eight shots from behind the arc, led largely by Damian Lillard’s 19 points in the first quarter. However, the Sixers kept things tight and ended up finding themselves in charge for much of the game, maintaining the lead throughout the third quarter and the first minutes of the fourth. Then, however, Carmelo Anthony caught fire, losing 17 points in the final stage, including the free throws of victory after a questionable foul on Tobias Harris with three seconds remaining. Ultimately, it was a hard-hitting 118-114 defeat for the Sixers in Portland, the first L this season with the full starting lineup available. We will choose our Bell Ringer in defeat.

Ben Simmons: 23 points, 11 rebounds, 9 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 return

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Simmons started this game playing as well as he did throughout the season. He scored 13 points in the first quarter, his fourth highest scoring of the season, through a series of right-hand hook shots and heavy attacks to the track. He also had a blockage behind and a theft along the perimeter, which led directly to Ben’s assists and five more Sixers points. Ben remained aggressive throughout the game, reaching the edge and finishing 10 of 12 off the field for a season record of 23 points. The point guard was also the main reason why the Sixers managed to hold Damian Lillard by 2 of 13 shots in the second half. Tonight was an excellent two-way effort by the Philadelphia star, and also a promising sign that he and Joel Embiid can have a good offensive night simultaneously.

Joel Embiid: 35 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 3 turns

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It is such an interesting experience to watch Joel today, as he could be having a half below average by his standards, struggling a bit with Enes Kanter’s robust defense, but then, suddenly, he exploded like a hurricane. In a stretch of just over six minutes to close the first half, Embiid lost 15 points, faking delivery and slipping in the blink of an eye for a monstrous dunk, or sinking an impossible-looking base jump against Robert Covington’s defense . Suddenly Joel had 23 points at halftime, which puts him behind Steph Curry by 20 points this season, and he is about to register his tenth game in a row with 25 points. With the Sixers five and one minute to go, Embiid took the ball from the top of the key and dribbled the softest pitcher you ever saw. The fact that a player over two meters can casually enter shots like that at the critical moment is remarkable, as are these 35-point games that Joel is making seem common.

Seth Curry: 15 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 0 turnovers

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Seth had another game similar to what it was before COVID, which is more important in the long run for this team of Sixers than whether or not to win a game in mid-February in Portland. Curry gave 3 of 7 behind the hoop, moving well and opening to get a good look at the basket. The sniper hit a 3 in an absolutely huge game in the transition with 22 seconds remaining in the game, giving just enough of a bomb simulation to disrupt Derrick Jones Jr.’s time in a blocking attempt, before firing without hesitating a second . The shame of that huge clutch shot ended up coming in a losing effort.