Sixers Bell Ringer: Sixers win the tank-off, lose the game on road in New Orleans

Despite 19-point performances from Jared Butler and Justin Edwards, the Pelicans rolled the Sixers.

Sixers Bell Ringer Season Standings:
Tyrese Maxey – 16
Quentin Grimes – 9
Joel Embiid – 8
Jared McCain – 8
Paul George – 7
Kelly Oubre Jr – 5
Justin Edwards – 4
Guerschon Yabusele – 4
Adem Bona – 2
Ricky Council IV – 2
KJ Martin – 2
Jared Butler – 1
Jeff Dowtin – 1
Andre Drummond – 1
No One – 1

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The Sixers traveled to New Orleans on Monday night for a battle with the fellow lottery bound New Orleans Pelicans. The Sixers trotted out their 48th different starting lineup combination of the season. The Pelicans were also extremely shorthanded in this one. Let the tank off commence!

The Sixers trailed after the first quarter by a score of 29-23 despite 11 first-quarter points, including a mark of 3-of-4 from beyond the arc, by the most recent Sixers Bell Ringer Justin Edwards.

There was little separation throughout the second quarter as the two teams traded baskets for much of the period. Jared Butler and Jalen Hood-Schifino got going a bit for the Sixers as they would finish the half with 10 and seven points, respectively. The Pelicans were led by rookie center Yves Missi who closed the half with a team leading 12 points. The Pelicans led at intermission by a score of 58-49. The second quarter would also see newest Sixers 10-day contract signee Marcus Bagley score the first points of his NBA career.

The third quarter of this one was a battle of runs as the Sixers stormed out of the half and took the lead. The Sixers would last lead at 69-68 with 6:15 remaining in the third period. The Pelicans had enough of that as they closed the quarter emphatically on a 22-6 scoring run to take their largest lead of the game at 90-75 as we headed to the fourth and final frame.

The fourth quarter would come and go without much drama or intrigue as the Pelicans rolled to a 122-109 win over your Philadelphia 76ers. Operation Capture the Flagg continues to roll on.

Time for the Bell Ringer.

Jared Butler: 19 points, 3 steals, 8-of-16 from the field

Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images

Jared Butler was the Sixers co-leader in scoring on the night pouring in 19 points on an even 50% from the field. Butler knocked down three triples in this one as the Sixers struggled from deep, only knocking down 14-of-42 attempts from long distance. Butler, who the Sixers inked to a NBA deal earlier this season after acquiring him at the trade deadline from the Washington Wizards, continues to show glimpses of what made him such a dynamic college player at Baylor and the 40th overall pick in 2021 coming off a national championship season with the Bears.

Justin Edwards: 19 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, 5-of-9 from three

Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images

Justin Edwards had a better start than close to this one. Edwards compiled 11 first-quarter points in this one, including three first-quarter three-pointers. Edwards’ activity and effort defensively continued to shine through as a bright spot in his game as he got his hands on several passes for deflections and came up with a few steals as well. Edwards along with Butler will continue to try and show themselves well down the stretch with the hopes of being rotational players next season when the Sixers have a fuller complement of players.