Sixers Bell Ringer: The Sixers lose their stink with the dominant win over Detroit

Sixers Bell Ringer regular season rankings:
Jared McCain – 7
Tyrese Maxey – 3
Paul George – 2
Guerschon Yabusele – 2
Justin Edwards – 1
Joel Embiid – 1
Kelly Oubre, Jr. – 1

The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Detroit Pistons 111-96. Normally this wouldn’t be cause for celebration, but nothing has been normal for the Sixers this season. So we will tackle the return to normality as soon as we can achieve it.

Paul George returned to the lineup, but the Sixers were still without Joel Embiid, Caleb Martin and Kyle Lowry and then lost Andre Drummond to an ankle injury in the first quarter. So it was incredibly refreshing to see them score 37 points in the first quarter, their highest score in the first quarter of the year.

Then, after the Pistons fought their way back into the game, Philadelphia avoided the third quarter bogey with a 32-17 lead in that frame. They gained their first 20-point lead of the season, which shows just how depressing this season has been so far in the 18th game.

Regardless, for one night we saw the Sixers team we expected when this roster was put together. Although some people were out, there was enough talent to easily manage a team that would likely be back in the lottery. Let’s talk about bell ringers.

KJ Martin: 19 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks, 1 turnover

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Martin was given a larger role after Drummond’s injury and his energy changed the game on both ends of the field. His 19 points were his best as a Sixer, going 7 of 8 from the floor and 4 of 5 from the foul line. He took two long corner jumpers, finished in transition and with baseline cuts, and had an incredibly athletic putback dunk. On the other end, Martin carried the load for the team’s rim protection with three blocks at the rim. His rejection of Isaiah Stewart at the buzzer before halftime felt like a big play and prevented the Pistons from making it a one-possession game. KJ gets mentioned a lot because of his balloon contract and corresponding trade chip potential, but tonight it was a nice reminder of everything he can bring to the field for the Sixers.

Ricky Council IV: 17 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 0 turnovers

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Council, the other energy guy off the bench, dropped a season-high 17 points, continually pushing his way to the rim and continuing to show his ability to get to the charity stripe at a high pace (6 of 7 from the foul line). Although he made a friendly shot on a three-point attempt, the shot certainly didn’t look smooth, but his relentlessness in pursuing the ball on both sides helped raise the intensity of a team that often seemed…passive this year. RC4 has played with himself and the flow of the game and if he wants to bring all of these positive attributes, it will be difficult for Nick Nurse not to find time for him.

Tyrese Maxey: 28 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 2 turnovers

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Tonight was actually a pretty bad first half from Tyrese, but great players have the ability to explode at any time and No. 0 took control immediately after halftime. Detroit had gotten within five points heading into the locker room, and Sixers fans who had watched this team at all this season were wondering if they were really going to blow it. But Maxey hit two 3-pointers and two layups and scored Philadelphia’s first 10 points of the third quarter. Suddenly the lead was back to a comfortable double-digit lead and the Sixers never wanted to look back.

Paul George: 11 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 3 turnovers

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George was back after hyperextending his knee for the second time. Although PG only scored 4 of 12 from the field, his style of play had a big impact on the game. George recorded four assists in the first six minutes of the game and handed out dunks to Andre Drummond and Adem Bona. The ball moved much better and the defense was clearly focused on Paul when he was on the field. Once he gets back to more consistent playing time, his proven midfield jumpers will start to fade, and then we’ll be cooking with gas. I should mention that George’s other knee was slightly bent when Simone Fontecchio landed on him and didn’t return to the game, but the Sixers were up big and Nick Nurse said after the game it was a precautionary measure.