Sixers Bell Ringer: Maxey records 7th consecutive 30-point game in loss to Heat

Sixers fall to the now Jimmy Butler-less Miami Heat 108-101.

Sixers Bell Ringer Season Standings:
Tyrese Maxey – 13
Jared McCain – 8
Joel Embiid – 8
Paul George – 7
Guerschon Yabusele – 4
Kelly Oubre Jr – 2
Ricky Council IV – 2
KJ Martin – 2
Justin Edwards – 2
Adem Bona – 1

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The Sixers entered the second half of their back-to-back Martin-less following a trade that sent KJ Martin to the Detroit Pistons earlier on Wednesday. Paired with Tuesday’s trade that sent Caleb Martin to the Dallas Mavericks, the 76ers are now $1.4 million below the luxury tax.

Their opponent on Wednesday, the Miami Heat, were also active in the trade market. They ended the Jimmy Butler saga by sending him to the Golden State Warriors as the headliner of a multi-team deal. News broke of the trade during the game, so naturally a fan was the one that informed the Heat’s bench.

The Heat that were on the court saw strong performances from Tyler Herro, Terry Rozier and Nikola Jovic as they defeated the Sixers 108-101.

The Sixers were without Joel Embiid (left knee management), Andre Drummond (toe) and Quentin Grimes, the 24-year-old guard who the Sixers received from the Mavericks in return for Caleb Martin.

This matchup saw the Sixers plagued by poor shooting and rebounding. The Heat shot 41 % from three while the Sixers shot 30% from three. The Heat outrebounded them 66 to 46, but the Sixers were still able to keep this game close until the final buzzer by forcing Miami into 22 turnovers and creating extra possessions.

It took a Bam Adebayo fadeaway midrange jumper with 34 seconds left to push the lead to six and put the game out of reach for the Sixers. Not without a last chance effort from Tyrese Maxey as he hit a three to cut the lead in half and was inches away from intercepting the Heat’s subsequent inbound pass which led to a Herro layup.

It was Paul George’s first game back after missing five with a left pinky injury. He finished with nine points and appeared rusty offensively, yet was a strong presence on defense, finishing with three steals and a block. There were other Sixers with some more notable performances, but realistically only one that’s Bell Ringer worthy.

Tyrese Maxey: 31 points, 5 assists, 4 steals, 3 rebounds

Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images

Wednesday saw Maxey’s seventh consecutive 30-point game and 19th 30-point game this season. Although it was not exactly efficient, Maxey was one of the only Sixers able to create any offense against the top-10 Miami defense. When he did convert in the halfcourt, the Heat’s defense did a good job of making it tough on him. Maxey and the team as a whole saw their most efficient offense in transition and following up Heat turnovers with easy buckets. Maxey set the tone as early as possible.

Maxey appears more comfortable mixing up the looks he gives the defense when attacking as his ball-handling and perimeter footwork have improved since the beginning of the season. When he is guarded one-on-one he has been keeping the defensive assignment guessing. Exemplified by the after-timeout three that gave the Sixers hope within the final minute.

Maxey, understanding the defender is forcing him left because they are shifting their body to the right side of the incoming screen by Guerschon Yabusele, waves off the screen, goes left at full speed and hits the brakes with a step-back dribble right at the three-point line, causing the defender to slide away from him, creating an open shot.

In addition, when Maxey has seen two defenders, he has consistently made the quick pass out of it to get the team into the swing of their offense. The issue in this matchup was there was little other offense to go around.

Kelly Oubre Jr.: 15 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block

Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

Kelly Oubre Jr. had another very solid game, as he continues to let the offense come to him when possible, and running in transition with Maxey. It is the fourth time in eight games he has collected at least 11 rebounds, and the Sixers have needed every one of them as they are ranked last in the league in rebounds per game.

Oubre Jr. has been a perfect glue guy for Nick Nurse no matter who is playing. On Tuesday, with Embiid in the lineup, Oubre Jr. made four of his nine shots. Without Embiid on Wednesday, Oubre Jr. put up 16 shots, making six of them. The stigma surrounding Oubre Jr. being a black hole on offense before signing with the Sixers should never be brought up again, as he has been malleable with every lineup he has been a part of, and continues to be a bright spot in the locker room with no regard to his shot attempts.

Adem Bona: 11 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal

Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images

Bona was on clean up duty for a few ugly Sixers offensive possessions, often receiving hot potatoes from driving teammates late in the shot clock.

It is hard not to think of Paul Reed’s intensity when watching Bona, yet Bona’s size, touch around the rim and willingness to roll after screens lends itself to a long-term role for the rookie.