The Chicago Bulls defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in double overtime on Monday night, snapping the 76ers’ eight-game winning streak. Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 26 and 25 points, respectively. The 76ers honored their 1983 championship team during halftime at the game. Lonzo Ball had surgery for a cartilage transplant in his left knee and is out indefinitely after his third surgery on the knee in a little more than a year. The Bulls ruled him out for the season last month. Philadelphia’s P.J. Tucker did not play due to a left ankle injury. Joel Embiid had been 12-0 in his career against the Bulls before Monday’s game.
The Chicago Bulls defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 109-105 in double overtime on Monday night, snapping the 76ers’ eight-game winning streak. Zach LaVine scored 26 points and DeMar DeRozan had 25 points for the Bulls, who have won three games in a row and five of six. Nikola Vucevic added 21 points and 12 rebounds for Chicago, which is competing for the final playoff spot in the East.
Joel Embiid scored 37 points, had 16 rebounds, and three blocks before fouling out with 3:54 left in the second overtime. It was Embiid’s 10th consecutive game with at least 30 points. The teams will meet again on Wednesday night in Chicago.
Philadelphia had the opportunity to clinch a playoff spot with a victory, but the 76ers struggled after Embiid fouled out. Tyrese Maxey had 17 points, but air-balled a pair of 3-point attempts and misfired on a drive. The 76ers were down by just two late, but Derrick Jones Jr. blocked James Harden’s jumper, and Tobias Harris missed on a chance. Coby White secured the rebound and made two free throws with six seconds to play to seal the win for the Bulls.
James Harden had one of his worst performances since joining the 76ers at the trade deadline last season, finishing with just five points while missing 12 of 14 shots, including all six 3-point attempts. He also had five turnovers. Philadelphia coach Doc Rivers indicated that Harden’s foot was bothering him, and that he missed Saturday’s game due to injury recovery.
Embiid has been making his case for his first NBA MVP award all season. Denver’s Nikola Jokic has won the last two MVPs, and Giannis Antetokounmpo claimed the previous two. Boston’s Jayson Tatum is also a strong candidate. Rivers said the debate around the award is too vitriolic and that “Joel is the MVP. I thought he was the MVP last year. But can we stop trying to put people down? All of them are great. We don’t need to put one down to elevate the rest.”
The Philadelphia 76ers honored their 1983 championship team during halftime at Monday night’s game. The current team met with the championship team during shootaround on Monday morning, which coach Doc Rivers said was a beneficial experience for the team and helped connect them to the team’s history.
Chicago Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball had surgery for a cartilage transplant in his left knee, which went well according to coach Billy Donovan. Ball is out indefinitely after his third surgery on the knee in a little more than a year, and Donovan said he has a long road to recovery. Ball has not played in more than a year, and the Bulls ruled him out for the season last month. In 35 games with the Bulls in 2021-22, Ball averaged 13 points and 5.4 rebounds.
Bulls’ Alex Caruso did not play due to a left foot injury, and Javonte Green returned to the lineup but was scoreless in nine minutes. The Bulls improved to 14-21 on the road.
Philadelphia’s P.J. Tucker did not play due to a left ankle injury, and the team fell to 26-11 at home. Before Monday’s game, Joel Embiid had been 12-0 in his career against the Bulls.
The Bulls will host Philadelphia on Wednesday night, and the 76ers will play at Chicago on the same night.
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