Sixers Regular Bell Ringer Ranking:
Joel Embiid: 26
Tyris Maxi: 13
Seth Curry: 8
Tobias Harris: 4
Andre Drummond: 3
James Harden: 2
Matis Tibul: 2
Furkan Korkmaz: 1
Charles Bassie: 1
Paul Milsap: 1
The Cleveland Cavaliers entered this after losing 5 of their last 6 and the Sixers won 6 of their last 7. Philly also won four in a row, including three games from the James Harden era. There really seems to be a big trio of Harden, Joel Embiid and Tyree Maxi developing here.
But this Cavaliers team provided the toughest test of the Sixers-Harden era to date. They are a talented and well-trained band and Darius Garland is just great. Jarrett Allen is a beast. Evan Mobley didn’t play like that here, but he’s a star in the making. Really good things are happening in Cleveland. And great things are happening in Philly.
Congratulations fans of Friday Sixers, let’s choose a bell.
Joel Embiid: 22 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals
This was uncharacteristic of Joel Embiid, as he did not present the typical fortress in paint that he does so often. The end result was 125-119, so you can say that Cleveland had no problem getting buckets. But the first half of 71 points for the guests was really hard to watch.
But what to say. Even on the night of stagnation this season, the big man keeps coming. Stealing here, a few crunchy cents in the end there, this is a possessed man and makes so many winning games in every aspect of the game.
One of my favorite moments in this one was one of Maxi’s threesomes. It can be said that Embiid is considering publishing. I think in the past he would have done it and asked for the ball. But instead he went out and set up a screen for Tyris, which kept the pull away. A very selfless and mature winning play from The Process. I love seeing him trust his boys and how his boys get stronger in turn.
At the crucial moment, Embid judged Mobley, hit right next to him, then paused to commit a foul. He drained two huge free players, making the game 6 points. Some well-earned MVP songs have been heard on television.
In the next possession, he hit Dirk’s one-legged style and got the role of the archer. Mobley is a fierce prospect, but Joel gave him a few buckets of welcome to the major leagues in this one.
Shake Milton: 11 points, 4 rebounds, 2 out of 3 distance
The last time Shake had a double-digit point was on December 16th. A back injury interrupted his season, so it is potentially crucial that he can become a reliable rotating player moving forward. When the Sixers were on the ropes in the second quarter, Savior Shake was the one who helped start the run. It was great to see the SMU product there and make great games.
George Niang was great too. He yelled at a minivan that had 17 points and knocked unconscious 5 out of 8 out of three, gaining final minutes. Hopefully we will see a little more of Niang with the stars in situations at the end of the match.
James Harden: 25 points, 11 assists, 3 rebounds, 11 out of 12 from the line
James Harden began quietly. There was a lack of energy in the jump. You can feel it in players like Embid and Harden, the team’s top two players:
It’s only appropriate if Tyrese asks Harden at half-time if he will play today
– Jackson Frank (@jackfrank_jjf) March 5, 2022
But by the end of his boxing result was complete. And he made a bunch of monstrous games down.
Harden hit a gorgeous float, forcing the Cavs to exchange buckets without winning Philly. A little yin to Maxi’s fast yang, he has such a good slow game. He plays under control, where he can blow from his man, then stops moments later, cutting off the dude he just dusted off. Then he waits for something to develop. If no one opens, it’s a float. His last reading is what he has broken down for years.
I hate to say it, but too many of Harden’s possessions lead to the kicking of Tobias Harris, whose reluctance to fire 3 allows the defense to recover. They need to understand this. Harden could have made even more pennies if Danny Green had been in that corner instead of Harris.
Or whoever wins this quiet tournament:
Doc Rivers said two of the four Danny Green, Shake Milton, Furkan Korkmaz and Isaiah Joe will have to stand out in the rotation.
– Paul Hudrick (@PaulHudrick) March 5, 2022
Tyris Maxi: 33 points, 5 assists, 2 steals, 4 rebounds, 5 out of 6 out of 3, 8 out of 9 off the line
The Sixers fell by 21, then climbed to this point, only to fall again in double digits. But in the third quarter, Tyrese Maxi breathed life into the whole arena.
At one point in the second half, Harden asked the fans to come in, and they didn’t seem to oblige him. Alaa Abdelnabi noted on the show that Sixers fans were actually telling James, come on, give us more to rejoice.
Well, Maxi was the one who finally broke his whole jaw in a rage. He was great.
Maxey drained consecutive threes, then slipped out to finish the break. He hits swimmers. He took a step back. It’s not just our collective delusion and deprivation of the back court, as Sixers fans say here, it’s not all these years hungry for players with a triple threat. It really seems that he is just blossoming into a star before our eyes. If the All-Star Break match was decided between the All-Star Break and the playoffs, it would look like a shoe right now.
They don’t win tonight without him playing not well, but great. Go.