You have to believe that the Sixers did not like seeing the Bulls end their eight-game winning streak two days earlier. Despite the absence of James Harden (Achilles tendon), Doc Rivers’ men signed an authoritative success in Chicago (91-116), after counting up to 31 points ahead and never letting the Bulls lead to score.
A success so easily acquired that Philadelphia was able to afford to take precaution with Joel Embiid, limited to 16 minutes of play. The 76ers thus remain in the race for 2nd place in the East, disputed with the Celtics who do not only have one more small victory.
Side Bulls, who remained on three wins in a row, including two in double overtime, they keep their 10th in the conference with still the possibility of moving up a little in the standings, while remaining under threat from their pursuers, the Pacers.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– De-sas-treuse start of the match. And the word seems weak to describe the first minutes of play offered by the Bulls. An open 3-point basket from De’Anthony Melton to start, followed by a missed throw-in and sanctioned by Tobias Harris announced the color. The visitors took the locals by the throat from the first possessions. Billy Donovan took two time-outs in vain… in the first three minutes of play, his team sank in the face of the collective strength opposite. The 17-0 posted in the first three minutes turned into 23-1 two minutes later…
– No reaction from the Bulls. The entry of a few soldiers from the bench like Ayo Dosunmu or Derrick Jones Jr. allowed Chicago to finish the first quarter more suitably (23-36). Except that the holders of the 76ers continued to abuse their counterparts from the Bulls to plant 40 points in the second quarter and widen the gap irremediably to reach the break (48-76). We don’t know what Billy Donovan’s speech was in the locker room but it didn’t work. Because the Bulls were unable to take advantage of the absence of Joel Embiid to get significantly closer to the score. 12 minutes later, they were still trailing by 20 points (76-96).
– Caution with Joel Embiid. Worried Doc Rivers about the discomfort of his pivot at the level of the calf? ” Not much, not at all actually. I think he will be ready for the next game. It’s just a precaution “, reassures the coach who therefore did without his pivot in the second half. ” As I always say, it’s about arriving healthy in the playoffs. We’ll see how it evolves in the next few days. “says Embiid, who says he feels this pain since the previous game against the Bulls. Despite his minimal playing time, he was not far from the triple-double tonight (12 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists).
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Five of the Sixers. No jealousy among Philly starters, three of whom finish with 20 or more points. Also coming close to a triple-double, Tobias Harris was remarkably efficient and finished with an impressive +40 when he was on the line. De’Anthony Melton, who alternates between the five and the bench at the moment , had one of his best games of the year and finished as the game’s top scorer. Author of 16 of his 21 points in the first period, Tyrese Maxey was the spark of the 76ers, before being more struggling in address. Note its enormous playing time (38 minutes) despite a long “garbage time”.
⛔ DeMar DeRozan. The symbol of an entire Bulls major five in total disarray. Physically jostled by PJ Tucker, the rear was not able to get the slightest shot in the game. A first in his career (in the regular season) since… January 2015. Frustrated, he also received a a flagrant foul in the second quarter for sending Paul Reed to the ground on a screen. He left his partners in the third quarter due to right quadriceps discomfort.
THE FOLLOWING
Bulls (34-38) : trip to Portland on Friday.
76ers (49-23) : traveling to Golden State on Friday.
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