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Sixers-Timberwolves observations, 'best' and 'worst' awards: Marco Belinelli adjusting well while Ben Simmons continues to dominate

The Sixers had 33 assists on 42 made shots.

Sixers forward Dario Saric (left) and center Joel Embiid (right) contest Timberwolves’ big man Karl-Anthony Towns during the Sixers’ win on Saturday.
Sixers forward Dario Saric (left) and center Joel Embiid (right) contest Timberwolves’ big man Karl-Anthony Towns during the Sixers’ win on Saturday.Read moreCHRIS SZAGOLA / AP
    by Keith Pompey | Columnist
    Published 

Here are my main takeaways and "best" and "worst" awards from the 76ers' 120-108 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves Saturday night at the Wells Fargo Center.

Five observations

  1. With 33 assists, the Sixers have had 30 or more assists for the fifth-straight game and 20th time this season. This also marked their 24th consecutive game with 20-plus assists. That ties the franchise record for consecutive 20-plus assist performances set from Nov. 24, 1992 to Jan. 13, 1993.

  2. Even on a bad night,  Karl-Anthony Towns is a double-double machine. The Timberwolves all-star center made just 3 of 15 shots. However, he finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds for his league-best 61st double-double.  The New Jersey native has six more than Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond, who's second in the league.

  3. Marco Belinelli is settling in nicely as the Sixers sixth man. He had 17 points on 5-for-6 shooting – including making 3 of 4 three-pointers. The guard shot 60 percent and averaged 17 points over the last four games.

  4. Jerryd Bayless' availability  – or lack of it – is a mystery. The Sixers reserve combo guard didn't see action for the 13th consecutive game. Coach Brett Brown says the 10th-year veteran is sidelined with a sore right heel. However, Bayless hasn't been listed on an injury report.

  5. The Sixers bench needs to improve if they expect to win a playoff series.  The Sixers reserves nearly blew a 25-point lead.

‘Best’ and ‘worst’ awards

  1. Best performance: This goes to Ben Simmons. The Sixers rookie point guard had 15 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds to post his 10th triple-double.

  2. Worst performance: I had to give to Jeff Teague. The Minnesota point guard was held to three points while missing seven of eight attempts.

  3. Best defensive performance: Robert Covington get this on a night when Joel Embiid finished with a game-high three blocks. Covington had a game-high four steals to go with two blocks.

  4. Worst statistic: This goes to Sixers shooting 63.9 percent from the foul line.

  5. Best statistic: This goes to the Sixers' 33 assists on 42 made shots.