Sixers Bell Ringer: Tyrese Maxey Stars, Caleb Martin Impersonates Andrew Toney, Joel Embiid Looks Exuberant In Big Win Against Celtics

Sixes Bell Ringer season standings:
Jared McCain – 8
Tyrese Maxey – 5.5
Paul George – 3.5
Joel Embiid – 3
KJ Martin – 2
Guerschon Yabusele – 2
Ricky Council IV – 1
Justin Edwards – 1
Kelly Oubre Jr – 1st
(No poll was sent after the 12/16 win over Charlotte, so in a Liberty Ballers first, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey each received a half Bell Ringer.)

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To quote a former Eagles backup quarterback: Merry Christmas, Philadelphia.

Tyrese Maxey starred and the Sixers got their best win of the season in a 118-114 upset over the defending champion Celtics in Boston Christmas Day.

It’s December 25th and the Sixers got to use their projected starting lineup for the first time. That group got off to a strong start with Maxey carrying the offensive load. After registering just 12 points in his first Christmas Day game last season, the electric guard matched that total in the first quarter.

Maxey kept it going in the second quarter and got some help from Joel Embiid, who dropped 10 points in the frame — including a three in the waning seconds of the first half to give the Sixers a 66-58 lead.

The Celtics weren’t going down without a fight. Jaylen Brown got going after a slow first half, and the Sixers’ offense stagnated for most of the quarter, scoring just 16 points. Boston was able to turn things around in the fourth.

But Maxey was up to the challenge, carrying a bench-heavy unit and building the Sixers’ lead back to double digits. Things got a little wonky when the starters checked back in, but a timely layup by Maxey and clutch free throws – not a given with this team this season! – The Sixers put the game away.

Philly is slowly but surely crawling out of its early season hole and improving to 11-17. The Sixers are 8-3 in their last 11. Just as important, they’re getting (sort of) healthier and figuring out how to play with each other. They’ll get a few days off before heading out west for a four-game road trip starting Saturday night in Utah against the Jazz.

For now, let’s get to a fun Bell Ringer.

Tyrese Maxey: 33 points, 12 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 block

It was clear from the beginning of the game that Maxey wanted to make sure that last Christmas was an aberration. He delivered 12 points and dished out four assists in the opening frame. Another impressive part of Maxey’s game was the way he didn’t back down defensively. Both Brown and Jayson Tatum tried to target him and he battled like hell, even forcing a few turnovers.

And speaking of turnovers, a big part of the Sixers’ success in the first half was that they only turned the ball over once. As we’ve seen over the years, regardless of his usage, Maxey is going to take care of the basketball. Maxey and Embiid led the floor with 18 points apiece in the half. Maxey also had eight assists with zero turnovers.

The offense really stalled in the third, with Maxey only attempting two shots. Paul George’s struggles really hurt the Sixers in a period where they were outscored 24-16.

To start the fourth, Maxey absolutely nailed Boston’s defense while playing with a bench-heavy unit. He hunted for inconsistencies and exploited them. Outside of a few uncharacteristic late turnovers, Maxey was brilliant in a 13-point, three-assist final frame.

He also stayed composed on what could have been a disastrous play and got the Sixers a big bucket late.

You can’t call it a coming out party for a player as established as Maxey, but man, that’s one hell of a performance against a great team on a huge NBA stage. Maxey finished with a game-high 33 points (12-of-23, 3-of-9 from three), becoming the first Sixer to post a 30-point, 10-assist game on Christmas Day. He might make sure the Sixers have an All-Star this season yet (good timing at that).

Caleb Martin: 23 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal

Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images

What in the name of Andrew Toney got Caleb Martin?

Well, it looks like being healthy has finally been a huge help. The Sixers wisely shut Martin down to deal with a right shoulder issue he’s apparently been dealing with all season. Fortunately, he only missed three games in two weeks because of the NBA Cup.

Martin followed a strong outing in the Sixers’ win over the Spurs on Monday, going 3-of-5 from deep with a nuclear performance on Christmas Day. With George unable to find his shot, they needed someone to step up – and boy, did Martin deliver.

The versatile wing — who has had a penchant for making life miserable for the Celtics throughout his career — couldn’t miss. He went 7-for-9 from deep on the night and 4-for-4 from beyond the arc in the fourth. The seven triples are a career high, and the 23 points were his most as six.

Beyond the threes, Martin looks more and more like the player many considered a steal in free agency.

He has always seemed to play better when the lights are brightest. It was the first time he did it in a Sixers jersey.

Joel Embiid: 27 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists

One game after being ejected, Embiid looked effervescent early in this one.

Boston is notoriously a tough matchup for him with the presence of Al Horford and the overall cohesiveness the Celtics play with on defense. Embiid is also still adjusting to life with a mask (again) and hasn’t played much high-level basketball this season.

Give him credit – he was effective without forcing things. Embiid said at media day that his primary goal was to make everything easier for everyone else. He played like that at Christmas. The way he ran the floor here and finished the through traffic – giving Maxey an easy assist – is a great sign.

His three-point shooting was a huge boost. He was 4-of-5 on the day and hit this big one to close out the first half. He was quite emphatic after the fabrication.

It was far from a perfect finish, but Embiid made several game-winning plays down the stretch. He found Martin on a three as the defense switched ways. With the Sixers on their heels, he ran a pick-and-roll with Maxey out of a timeout and uncharacteristically rolled to the basket. He was able to foul Horford and make a couple of free throws. He crashed the offensive glass and forced Brown to foul. The ensuing possession led to the big Maxey layup.

And god damn it, he sank a few more free throws finally put the game away.

There hasn’t been much to cheer about for anyone on the Sixers this season, especially Embiid. It was good to see the big guy enjoying this one afterthought.