Well, it wasn’t pretty, but the Sixers will certainly take it.
After taking a huge lead thanks to a shooting start on the burn, the Sixers beat the Bulls 114-109 in Chicago on Saturday night and risked their lives with the return of Joel Embiid.
Embiid had an ups and downs for most of the night, but the closing stages were sensational, with a huge 3 on DeMar DeRozan’s late drive and an exceptional defense. The Sixers won his second straight with this, extending his record to 3-4. They’re in DC to fight the Wizards on Halloween night.
Here are some winning points.
first quarter
- It looks like DeMar DeRozan’s PJ Tucker and Zach LaVine’s Tobias Harris are starting.
- Sixers Running out the hell out of Embiid-Harden’s pick-and-roll with a lot of success. The Sixers get a lot of looks from what should be their most reliable action.
- It’s amazing how well Tucker can guard the Five.
- The Sixers offense hums as they solidify with a touchdown pass to Harris during the break. great start.
- Matisse Cybull may have sneaked into the rotation. He is Maxie’s first off the bench. There is a zone where Thybulle and DeAnthony Melton are in the game together.
- This is probably the best Harden and Embiid have ever seen together.
- Shake Milton will also run more tonight. Danuel House seems like an oddball. Frankly, I can’t blame Doc Rivers for that decision. Not a big fan of the all-bench looks, but give this group credit. They’re moving basketball and playing with energy on defense.
- In a standout first quarter from the Sixers, they jumped to a 37-22 lead. Embiid at 8 points. He solidifies with five and five assists. Melton has 3-2 assists and he has 6 goals.
Second quarter
- The house will check in. Doc is really expanding his rotation.
- Transition efforts have been going on day and night over the past two games. Defenses are generally much more cohesive.
- Embiid will check in and get your putback bucket right away. The Sixers are significantly up 46-30.
- Without DeRozan, the Sixers might be up 40 points. He lives at the free-throw line for now.Embiid, Maxxie and Thybulle all have three fouls on him.
- After Embiid goes to the bench, the Bulls make some intrusions. Maxy also took a big break here. 54-44, Sixers. DeRozan posted a game-high 18.
- Harden is really struggling off the field tonight. He is 1 out of 7 of him. In Chicago he is 56-53. The Sixers struggling to defend the paint without Embiid. Without Embiid and Maxie, we’re going to have a hard time scoring.
- The Sixers close out the quarter with an 8-3 run. Strong halves from Harris (11 points, 3 of 4 of 3) and Tucker (8 points, 2 of 2 of 3). 12 and Embiid in just over 12 minutes. Harden didn’t shoot well, but had eight assists. Melton had eight points, four assists and two rebounds. 64-56 in the first half. Embiid and Maxie need to rest for the second half.
third quarter
- Embiid was smacked on the wrist by LaVine after a strong roll into the basket. Embiid had a great move tonight, but when you see plays like that, you can understand why he doesn’t like it all the time.
- Bucevic transforms into Dirk Nowitzki. He made three triples to start the half and this is his 72-72 tie his game. Authorities call this very tight. Tucker now has four after being whistled on two illegal screens.
- With a 12-0 run, Chicago now leads 76-72. Apparently the authorities missed the call because Embiid chased Lavigne in transition.
- Wow, what a Melton play. With the Sixers back in the zone, Javonte thought his green dunked easily on Backdoor’s play, but Melton went for a block from behind.
- The Sixers are still shooting the ball well, but have already gone through 12 turnovers. The bull is starting to catch fire.
- Maxxie is on the move here. He drew his two fouls before hitting another drive blur to put the Sixers ahead with his 82–81 lead.
- A brutal quarter overall as the 8-point halftime lead narrows to 3, 90-87. Maxxie was the saving grace for the Sixers as his run to close the quarter put them back in front. He is up to 14 points. Embiid he has 20 but still looks a step behind defensively.
4th quarter
- Phew, Montrez Harrell isn’t a great defender, but he’s not afraid to charge. He took some big shots tonight.
- Georges Nihan’s Big Night. Floater and his 3 extended the Sixers lead to his 99-95. Harden has a hard time. I can’t find his rhythm shot, I don’t feel like stepping back, and I’m not excited about the referee.
- Make three claims to Harrell. The bench was big tonight.
- It might have been a good night to get Harden off.
- The Sixers were performing very well off pick-and-rolls from Embiid and Harden, but both men were sloppy as they extended the ball down. Harden scored a tough fadeaway on Alex Caruso and drew a big foul. The free throws tied the game at 107-107 with just over three minutes remaining.
- Harden drew another foul to put the Sixers ahead again, 109-107.
- Bucevic scored two free throws to equalize. Embiid then fumbles his two free throws. The Sixers were able to put Lavigne in his two tough and long, but he missed it. Stumped on the rebound, the Sixers were forced to call timeouts after appearing to shoot him in the head.
- Wow, Embiid pops out on a pick-and-roll with Harden, nailing a 3 off the wing with 18 seconds left. Big time shot — 112-109, Sixers.
- little by little. Embiid then brilliantly counters a DeMar DeRozan drive and helps the Sixers to the win. Embiid has had his ups and downs with this one, but he came out big when it mattered most. He finished with 25 points. Melton and Niang led a strong bench effort and combined he scored 25 points.
