Sixers fall 109-102 to Bulls in Chicago, as Embiid’s 31 points couldn’t stop a bench-heavy Bulls squad.
Game Summary
The Philadelphia 76ers began a five-game road trip with a loss in Chicago. The Bulls extended their winning streak to five games and moved to a 15-15 overall record. Philadelphia’s record slipped to 16-13. The Sixers will face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday afternoon.
Key Players and Returning Stars
Three key pieces returned after missing the Tuesday loss to the Nets: VJ Edgecombe, Dominick Barlow, and Quentin Grimes. Edgecombe guarded Josh Giddey, while Barlow defended Matas Buzelis. Both Edgecombe and Barlow contributed early, with Barlow pulling down an early put-back layup and Edgecombe turning a steal into a slam. Grimes capped the first quarter with a smooth reverse layup.
Tyrese Maxey, after a 3-for-14 outing against Brooklyn, struggled early again, missing his next six field goals. The Sixers started 1-for-13 beyond the arc. Despite the shooting woes, Philadelphia’s offensive rebounding helped mitigate the deficit. They grabbed the first six offensive rebounds and scored the first nine second-chance points.
Paul George finished with 12 rebounds-his most in a game since 2021-along with 15 points on 5-for-15 shooting and five assists. The Sixers ranked eighth in the NBA in offensive rebounding rate for the season.
Bench Battle
With Maxey, George, and Embiid on the floor, the Sixers’ defense faltered early in the second quarter. Chicago’s bench produced 59 points, while Philadelphia’s bench scored only 12 on 5-for-19 shooting. The Sixers used 11 players in the second unit, but none contributed significantly to the score.
The Bulls’ second unit created high-quality looks in the half-court, taking advantage of the Sixers’ leaky defense. The Sixers’ stars, however, prevented the deficit from widening further.
Offense, Rebounds, and Final Minutes
Embiid continued to score efficiently, adding points in the second and third quarters. Maxey finally found his rhythm, knocking down five threes for a total of 9-for-24 from the field. The Bulls leaned heavily on their bench, while the Sixers’ offense appeared rushed and panicky in the closing minutes.
Going into the fourth quarter, the Sixers held a 102-99 lead with 2:45 to play after Embiid scored on Nikola Vucevic in the post. The Bulls responded with a 10-0 run, making clutch plays and out-hustling Philadelphia on several occasions. Jalen Smith dunked over Embiid, and Coby White nailed a step-back three on Embiid. Tre Jones scored inside after a 6-foot-1 guard snagged two offensive boards on a single possession.
Key Takeaways
- Sixers lose 109-102 to Bulls, with Embiid scoring 31 and Maxey 27.
- Bulls’ bench racks up 59 points; Sixers’ bench scores only 12 on 5-for-19.
- Philadelphia’s offensive rebounding helps but fails to overcome Bulls’ defensive pressure.
The game underscored the importance of bench depth and consistent shooting for Philadelphia as they prepare to travel to Oklahoma City next week.
