Bulls Cruise Past Sixers in Philly
With the playoffs on the line, the Bulls responded in a big way Thursday night.
Jimmy Butler, Nikola Mirotic, and the Chicago Bulls stopped off in Philadelphia on Thursday night with just 4 games left in the regular season.
The shorthanded 76ers got off to a rough start and never really got going. Philadelphia shot just 36.3% from the field, including 7-of-33 from behind the three-point line.
What was once a log jam of big men in Philadelphia has now turned to just Lockport, IL native Richaun Holmes. The 2nd year big man out of Bowling Green continued his solid play with a double-double, including 10 points and 10 rebounds in 31 minutes. Rookie of the Year candidate Dario Saric had a tough night, scoring just 9 points in 22 minutes of play. Justin Anderson and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot combined for 35 points.
With Rajon Rondo sidelined with a sprained wrist, it was once again point guard roulette as Fred Hoiberg went with Jerian Grant over backup floor general Michael Carter-Williams. Grant played 31 minutes Thursday night, after playing only 28 minutes in the last 12 games, including eight DNP-CDs. Grant made the most out of his opportunity in the starting lineup, as he posted 15 points, eight rebounds, and five assists. Despite Grant’s successful game, it would not be surprising to see him back on the bench when Rondo returns.
James Butler III, better known as Jimmy Butler, recorded his second triple double of the season with 19 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Nikola Mirotic continued his stellar play from the month of March, with 22 points on 8-of-11 shooting. Mirotic knocked down six three-pointers, which tied a season high in just 25 minutes.
The Bulls got solid play off the bench from Bobby Portis and Joffrey Lauvergne. Portis scored 12 points, while Joffrey Lauvergne pitched in 14 in 15 minutes.
The Bulls edged out Philly 102–90, and are still in control of the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. With three games to play in the regular season, the Bulls are just one game out of the fifth seed, but also a half game away from not even being in the playoffs. This season is going to come down to the wire. The Bulls will have a favorable schedule, as they play the Brooklyn Nets twice, along with the Orlando Magic. However, if we know anything about this team, it’s that we don’t know them at all. If the Bulls are going to make the playoffs, they have to beat the league’s worst, which often seems more difficult for this squad.
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