Sixers Bell Ringer: Joel Embiid returns, Tyrese Maxey will get triple-double in win over Bulls

Sixers Bell Ringer common season standings:

Jared McCain – 8

Paul George – 3

Tyrese Maxey – 3

KJ Martin – 2

Guerschon Yabusele – 2

Justin Edwards – 1

Joel Embiid – 1

Kelly Oubre, Jr. – 1

Oh, that is what it was presupposed to appear like.

In Joel Embiid’s return, the previous MVP led the Sixers to a 108-100 win over the Chicago Bulls Sunday afternoon.

It wasn’t the best begin for the Sixers. Embiid was understandably rusty, lacking his first seven photographs from the sector. Those struggles appeared to have a ripple impact via the remainder of the group because the Sixers trailed 33-23 after one.

In the second quarter, Joel Embiid started to appear like Joel Embiid. The huge man scored 19 factors within the body and the entire offense began to cook dinner. The makes dramatically slowed down the Bulls’ transition alternatives and the Sixers’ half-court protection was as much as the duty. The Sixers gained the second quarter 39-17 and took a 62-50 lead into the break.

Embiid saved it going, however a well-known situation emerged because the offense struggled a bit to shut the quarter when the large fella went to the bench. A Jalen Smith half-court heave minimize Chicago’s deficit to beneath 10.

The solely destructive for the Sixers at the moment was their three-point capturing. They had been producing nice seems to be however completed 9-of-36 from deep as a group. Meanwhile, the Bulls got here into this one as probably the greatest three-point capturing groups within the NBA and had been capable of win the maths sport to get again into this one. They had been 19-of-54 on the day and appeared to make one each time the Sixers seemed to tug away, chopping the result in as little as 4.

But after a couple of key defensive stops by Kelly Oubre, Jr. and firm, the Sixers had been capable of put this one away. Don’t look now, however the Sixers have gained 4 of 5 and sit at 7-15. They’re slowly however absolutely creeping again into the East playoff image.

They’ll get a pleasant, lengthy break after failing to make the knockout stage of the NBA Cup. They’ll subsequent take the courtroom Friday night time in a house matchup in opposition to the Indiana Pacers. Presumably, it is going to be the house debut for the Sixers’ Big 3.

For now, let’s get to Bell Ringer.

Joel Embiid: 31 factors, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks

Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images

As talked about, it wasn’t one of the best begin for Embiid, however boy, what an encouraging second quarter. Beyond dropping 19 factors, Embiid seemed nice bodily. He hit a troublesome baseline fadeaway jumper over Nikola Vucevic after which adopted his personal miss to get an and-1. That appeared to get him going.

After that, Embiid and Maxey began to get the pick-and-roll cooking. Embiid hit his patented foul line middie and likewise had an actual good roll and end on the rim. Maxey delivered a couple of good pocket passes to Embiid all through the day.

And this play is how you already know Embiid is really again.

Personal success and profitable assist, however Embiid appeared to be enjoying with extra pleasure than he was beforehand.

He made quite a few robust defensive performs, even switching onto a few of Chicago’s robust perimeter scorers like Zach LaVine and Coby White. He seemed spry — his power stage was excessive in all of his almost 33 minutes. Now, he’ll get 4 days to relaxation and hopefully be able to go Friday night time.

Tyrese Maxey: 25 factors, 14 assists, 11 rebounds, 1 steal

Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Images

You thought you had been pleased to see Joel Embiid again within the lineup …

Tyrese Maxey had been struggling a little bit of late, particularly within the two video games the Sixers performed in opposition to the super-sized Orlando Magic. While we’re nonetheless ready for Maxey to get again on observe together with his three-ball (3-of-12), he had possible his greatest sport ever as a playmaker.

Nick Nurse made a tweak to his second-half beginning group, inserting rookie Jared McCain in for Guerschon Yabusele. With Embiid again and the Bulls enjoying an uptempo type, it labored nicely. It additionally helped area the ground offensively. I don’t assume Maxey has had a glance this clear all season.

Maxey seemed like a extra assured participant Sunday. Again, the ball motion and spacing supplied by that lineup helped, however Maxey was enjoying quick and unfastened.

This complete sequence was superior with KJ Martin developing with the block and Yabusele with a nifty save between his legs. That created the late transition alternative for Maxey who cooks rookie Matas Buzelis with a crossover earlier than ending round Josh Giddey with a reverse layup. Silky easy.

And this play right here. He rejects the Embiid display screen, makes use of that momentum to show the nook, and holds off a protracted and powerful defender in Lonzo Ball whereas ending excessive off the glass. This was a back-breaking bucket for the Bulls.

This is the Tyrese Maxey we’ve come to know.

That’s a career-high in each assists and rebounds for Maxey who notches his first profession triple-double.

Kelly Oubre, Jr.: 12 factors, 10 rebounds, 1 help, 3 steals, 1 block

Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Images

Embiid and Maxey had been the celebs however Oubre deserves some love.

The athletic wing crammed his position to perfection Sunday — particularly when Nurse used the lineup of Embiid, Maxey, McCain, Paul George and Oubre. With all of the area, Oubre was capable of function out of the dunker spot which allowed him to tug down three offensive rebounds and likewise opens him up for lobs.

Oubre was additionally wonderful defensively and on the glass all afternoon, coming away with a couple of key stops on LaVine late and snagging 10 rebounds general.

He even managed to nail a well timed three and was 2-of-3 from past the arc. With that Oubre is 13-of-23 from deep over his final 5 video games. Small pattern measurement and we all know the capturing is erratic, however nonetheless an encouraging signal that he’s taking and making those which might be open.