With the Chicago Bulls still fighting for their playoff chances, they saw a perfect opportunity to improve their record on Thursday night. They played on the road against a struggling Philadelphia 76ers team that lost their previous four games. Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia was crowded with 15 thousand fans, fans that know basketball and appreciate the effort. On Thursday night the effort was there, but the outcome was the same. The Sixers lost their fifth game in a row and this was their third straight loss at home.
Jimmy Butler leads the shorthanded Bulls
The Chicago Bulls came into this matchup without the help of their starting backcourt - Rajon Rondo and Dwyane Wade. Rondo was out with a sprained right wrist and Wade missed this game with a fractured right elbow.
The Bulls took a one-point lead early in the first quarter (5-4) and they never looked back. They led 53-47 at halftime, and the final score was 102-90 for the away team. Bulls' biggest lead of the game was 17 points (102-85) in a wire-to-wire victory that boosted their playoff chances. With Rondo and Wade out, it was Jimmy Butler once again that led this Chicago team. He finished the game with a triple-double. Butler scored 19 points, pulled down 10 rebounds and dished 10 assists in 37 minutes of playing time.
Nikola Mirotic was also a big contributor in this one with 22 points and eight rebounds. Second-year guard Jerian Grant started for Rondo and finished with 15 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.
The Bulls outrebounded the 76ers 57-50 and they were at the top of their game defensively. Philadelphia was held to only 36.3% shooting from the field and managed to connect in only seven of their 33 three-point attempts.
Bulls are now tied with the Indiana Pacers for the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference. Chicago will play on the road again on Saturday against Brooklyn.
Future is bright for the 76ers
For the Sixers, it was Luwawu-Cabarrot who led them in scoring. He had 18 points and three rebounds while Justin Anderson finished the game with 17 points and four boards.
Philadelphia remains one of the worst teams in the league this season with 28 wins and 51 losses. However, looking at their previous season when they finished the year with a 10-72 record it's safe to say that they've improved this year. With Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons coming back from injury next season, the Sixers are hoping they can make some noise in the East in the upcoming years.
