The Sixers play host to the Chicago Bulls tonight as Paul George returns from his 25-game suspension. Coming off a tough loss to the Thunder, 123-103, Philadelphia is hoping to get back on track with a win and possibly multiple players returning to the lineup.
The Bulls arrive in Philly, riding high off a huge win over the Rockets on Monday night that helped the Sixers, who own the Rockets' first-round pick, more than the Bulls, who are now fighting for draft position.
Who: Chicago Bulls (29-42) at Philadelphia 76ers (39-33)
When: 7 p.m. EST
Where: XFinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, Pa.
Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia, NBA League Pass
At the time of his suspension, Paul George had seemed to be making the best with what he had, helping defensively while not shooting well from the floor. With the 25-game suspension came time to recover and get himself into better shape, which can hopefully return positive results for a Sixers team that desperately needs some good luck.
Against the Thunder, rookie VJ Edgecombe was tremendous, shooting 14-28 from the floor and 7-15 on his three-point attempts on his way to 35 points. While MarJon Beauchamp, Trendon Watford, and Cam Payne chipped in double-digit scoring nights, the team just wasn't a match for a healthy Thunder squad.
Things should change soon enough, and they'll start tonight. With George back in the lineup and the potential returns of Joel Embiid and Quentin Grimes, the team will be in better shape than it has been lately. Things are looking up as the team heads into the playoffs and tries to claw its way to a higher seed.
Prior to beating the Rockets on Monday night, the Bulls had gone just 1-4 over their previous five games. Sitting in the 12th seed in a muddled Eastern Conference, the Bulls are on the brink of being eliminated from playoff contention, but baring some miraculous run and late-season collapse from the Heat, Magic, and Hornets, they effectively already are.
The Bulls shot 50% on their three-point attempts against the Rockets, and for the season, they're eighth in the league in three-point shooting at 36.4%. While they're just middle of the pack in overall scoring, with 116 points per game, their defense ranks 26th in the league, giving up just over 120 points each night.
The team is relying on Josh Giddey, Collin Sexton, Tre Jones, and Jalen Smith, along with a few others, to spread the points around and get themselves quality looks from long distance, which is crucial to any success they might have, since they're not a very good defensive team. Getting into a rhythm, as they did against the Rockets, will be key against the Sixers.
The return of Paul George will be huge for a lineup that hasn't been together in months and has been relying on rookie VJ Edgecombe to lead a secondary unit that, while it fits its roles well, isn't starting NBA games. With Edgecombe and George, the Sixers will have two players on the floor who can handle both ends of the court against a very good three-point shooting Bulls team.
Bulls 117 - Sixers 109
