Sixers Bell Ringer: Philadelphia demolishes San Antonio on return home

Sixers Bell Ringer Season:

Joel Embiid – 17
Ben Simmons – 7
Tobias Harris – 6
Skud Milton – 4
Matisse Thybulle – 2
Tyrese Maxey – 1
Dakota Mathias – 1

The city of Philadelphia received the happy news on Saturday night that Joel Embiid’s knee injury was only a leg injury and would not require more than a few weeks of absence. The Sixers then celebrated Sunday night by presenting their third consecutive performance after All Star Break, the team’s fifth consecutive win.

Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich waved the white flag and cleared the bench in the third quarter. And who can blame him? The Sixers scored an incredible 46 points in the third scoring and scored 22 of 23 possessions in the period. Philadelphia’s lead hovered around 40 points for some time in a final 134-99 victory. It was the worst loss in Spurs franchise history. What a nice treat for the more than 3000 fans who were finally able to return to the Wells Fargo Center. Who did you get for Bell Ringer?

Tobias Harris: 23 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 1 turnover

Photo by Ned Dishman / NBAE via Getty Images

Tobias is one of the players who will have the ball more in his hands while Embiid is out. It therefore makes sense that he equalized a season-high with his seven assistants against the Spurs, including on the perfect lob for Dwight Howard in transition. Harris also scored for the club, shooting 10-of-18 from the field and scoring a team-best plus-36. The Sixers’ All-Star forward can flatten his jumpers, tore through Spurs defenders on his way to the edge and sent Lonnie Walker through the spin cycle.

Seth Curry: 21 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 0 turnovers

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Seth was another man who filled the void without Joel and got a season-high 16 shot attempts. The strategy worked out beautifully for Sixers, as the best Curry hit nine of the shots, including a 3-of-6 point from behind the arc. Curry also lined up his teammates and found Tony Bradley at the most prominent under the basket with a beautiful left-handed cover. Seth to return to the pre-COVID form will be very helpful for the Sixers because they want to stay without Embiid first.

Ben Simmons: 14 points, 4 rebounds, 9 assists, 1 steal, 3 turnovers

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After missing a few games due to his positive testing for COVID-19, Simmons returned to court and was in full BenJammin mode. The Spurs wanted absolutely nothing to do with delaying Ben in the transition, and he threw down more than one titanic one-handed slam. I also liked the lovely little baby hook that Simmons loosened for three buckets. It was a good return to action for Ben, who finished 6-out-9 off the field and delivered his usual high distribution level.

Danny Green: 16 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 turnover

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Danny started this whole thing tonight and hit his first four shots, including three tries, and also a rare driver from the dribble. He would finish the night 4-of-7 from downtown, while also playing a solid defense with a few blocks. I could only remember a head-shaking ‘Danny Green game’ when he took a pass on the wing in the transition, and rather than getting the easy set-up, it dripped into a turnover. Otherwise, nothing but high marks for Mr. I Have 3 Rings.

Matisse Thybulle: 10 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals, 1 block, 0 turnovers

Photo by Ned Dishman / NBAE via Getty Images

Matisse Thybulle is the ghost story that tells conflicting transgressions around the campfire. Philadelphia’s smiling ninja was once again a horror on the defensive side, doubling at the perfect moment, flying out of nowhere for a block, or jumping the passing lane for the thinning. Oh, and Matisse apparently doesn’t miss shots anymore. He shot 4-out-4 from the field (now 13-out-15 over his last three games), including two tries.

Dwight Howard: 8 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover

Photo by Mitchell Leff / Getty Images

No one has benefited more from the return of the fans than the man who has been pointing to empty arenas before the game all season. Dwight brought the energy back, continued a very nice piece for him, crashed the boards and rounded off with his thunder. He also had an excellent high-low find for Mike Scott, and I do not know how new it is, but I have not yet caught his ‘glasses’ celebration for a nice pass by himself or a teammate . Just lovely Howard minutes throughout.