CHICAGO — The Philadelphia 76ers secured a 109-97 victory against the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night, marking their second consecutive win. Tyrese Maxey led the way for the 76ers, contributing an impressive 31 points and nine assists. Kelly Oubre Jr. also made a significant impact, tallying 22 points and grabbing 12 rebounds.
The 76ers, who were navigating through an injury crisis, had managed to break a seven-game losing streak against the top-seeded team in the Eastern Conference, the Cleveland Cavaliers, just the night prior. This victory was particularly notable as forward Paul George exited the game in the second quarter due to a left finger injury after scoring nine points, yet the team maintained its composure.
On the opposing side, Zach LaVine scored 25 points for the Bulls while Nikola Vucevic finished with 22 points and 12 rebounds. Unfortunately for Chicago, they have faced difficulties lately, losing seven of their last eight games. The contest was tightly contested, featuring 14 lead changes, but the 76ers pulled ahead decisively by outscoring the Bulls 29-14 in a crucial third quarter.
Notably, the Sixers continue to be without their star player Joel Embiid, who has been sidelined for 11 games due to a left knee injury. However, Philadelphia benefited from the return of guard Kyle Lowry, who had missed 10 games, providing a small boost to the squad. Coach Nick Nurse mentioned that he anticipates injured forwards Caleb Martin and KJ Martin starting practice within the week.
The Bulls made multiple attempts to stay competitive throughout the game, but ultimately fell short. A decisive moment occurred late in the fourth quarter when LaVine attempted a layup to tie the game at 93, only to have Oubre make a stunning defensive play, swatting the ball away with 4:19 left on the clock. This energized the 76ers, who finished the game strong with a 16-6 run.
A key statistic from the game was Chicago’s struggle with ball control; the Bulls committed 19 turnovers, which the 76ers capitalized on, converting them into 25 points.
Looking ahead, the 76ers are set to host the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night, beginning a lengthy six-game homestand. Meanwhile, the Bulls will prepare for a matchup against the Denver Nuggets on Monday night.
