Sixers Bell Ringer: Joel Embiid dominates, Kelly Oubre plays thief, Guerschon Yabusele gives Deni Avdija his Kodak moment as Sixers roll Blazers

Sixes Bell Ringer season standings:
Jared McCain – 8
Tyrese Maxey – 6.5
Joel Embiid – 4
Paul George – 3.5
Guerschon Yabusele – 2
KJ Martin – 2
Ricky Council IV – 1
Justin Edwards – 1st
Kelly Oubre Jr – 1st

The Sixers traveled to Portland on Monday night to take on the Blazers in the third game of a six-game road trip. They won the first two games of the trip in Boston and Utah respectively. The Sixers came into this one riding a season-high three-game winning streak. They would continue their winning ways and pick up their fourth straight win with a 125-103 victory.

This one got off to a chaotic start as the Sixers and Blazers traded turnovers and wild misses in the first handful of minutes in a sloppy back-and-forth. The two teams would eventually settle down and trade scoring runs. The Sixers would close the opening frame with a 33-31 advantage on the back of 11 points from recent NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week Tyrese Maxey.

The second quarter of this one was exciting. The Sixers took off behind an aggressive Joel Embiid, who closed out the half 20 points to go along with eight boards. Starring with Embiid in the second quarter was Guerschon Yabusele, who poured in 11 points in the frame and 15 in the half including the game of the night with a monster poster dunk on Deni Avdija. The Sixers would lead by as many as 17 at one point with a score of 58-41 with five minutes left in the second quarter. They would close the half with a 64-54 advantage at halftime.

The third quarter was a seesaw of back and forth action as the Sixers went on a 6-0 run to start the quarter and the Blazers quickly chipped in with six points of their own to cut the deficit back to 10. The Sixers would close. quarter on a 10-2 run to take a commanding 91-72 advantage into the fourth quarter.

The Sixers dominated the fourth and cruised to a stress-free, comfortable win. They won all four quarters, and as always, that’s a great recipe for success. Now for the moment you’ve all been waiting for, let’s get to the Evening Bells.

Joel Embiid: 37 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 12-of-21 from the field

Photo by Amanda Loman/Getty Images

Embiid scored a season-best 37 points and looked out of his dominant MVP form that Sixers and NBA fans have become accustomed to over the years. Embiid seemingly got everything he wanted in this one, whether it was in the midrange, dominating on the low block, getting to the free throw line, or knocking down the lone three-pointer of the night. The Blazers had no answer for the Sixers’ big man, who has a history of having his way against Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams, two of the current Blazers big men.

This reminds me who remembers this gem from prime “Troel Embiid”

Kelly Oubre Jr: 15 points, 5 rebounds, 8 steals

Photo by Amanda Loman/Getty Images

Perhaps no one is happier that Embiid and the Sixers stars are healthy than Kelly Oubre. He thrives again in his low-usage role next to the Sixers stars. Oubre has excelled at cutting, attacking closeouts, getting out in transition and being an impactful defender — a role he enjoyed last season and endeared to the Sixers and the fan base. Oubre produced a career-high eight steals in this one as he was everywhere for the Sixers defensively. Whether it was on the ball bothering the smaller Blazers guards with his activity and length or disrupting passing lanes and causing havoc on the ball, Oubre was phenomenal tonight. Oubre’s eight steals tied an NBA season record.

Guerschon Yabusele: 16 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block

Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images

Guerschon Yabusele continues to shine in his role for the Sixers this season. One of the steals of the NBA offseason, Yabusele has been a constant bright spot. Yabu went 6-of-9 from the field, 2-of-4 from three, and threw down one of the dunks of the year in the second quarter for an and-1 over Deni Avdija. The “dancing bear” for which he is famous did more than just score – as he always does. Yabusele dove down the floor for a loose ball that led to a Sixers layup at the other end, had a pair of hockey assists that led to good looks, pulled down five rebounds and made his impact on the game as a tie-in role player as he has done all season.