The Chicago Bulls will finish 2023 solely 4 video games under .500 after beating the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday for the second time this month.
Despite a sloppy efficiency outlined by turnovers and poor 3-point taking pictures , the Bulls took benefit of a short-handed 76ers workforce to safe a 105-92 win on the United Center. DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 24 factors and Coby White added 20.
This is the second win in three video games for the Bulls with out beginning middle Nikola Vučević. They are 10-5 since star guard Zach LaVine first sat out with a proper foot damage.
Here are 5 takeaways from the win.
1. Andre Drummond has one other thunderous efficiency.
By the top of the primary quarter, Drummond had already pulled down 9 rebounds — all on the defensive finish. That outlined his impression all through his third begin with the Bulls, which he dominated on the boards as he continues to fill in for Vučević.
The 76ers employed a well-recognized technique of attacking Drummond within the ultimate minutes of the sport, purposefully sending him to the free-throw line — he completed 3-for-10. But Donovan stored Drummond within the sport late, and he scored 4 factors — a transition dunk and a putback — earlier than lastly exiting.
Drummond completed with 15 factors and 23 rebounds.
2. 76ers wrestle offensively with out Joel Embiid.
Finding any supply of scoring was a slog for the 76ers, who have been lacking their star middle due to a proper ankle sprain. The 76ers went 9-for-38 (23.7%) from behind the arc and shot solely 39.1% from the ground total. Tyrese Maxey led them with 20 factors, however the remainder of the beginning group struggled to search out its shot.
The Bulls held the 76ers under 100 factors, one other essential step because the workforce improves its defensive standing halfway by way of the season. The protection has averaged a 110.2 score over the past 5 video games, greatest within the league.
“We’ve gotten better defensively,” coach Billy Donovan stated. “We’ve contested pretty well all year long and we’ve generally been pretty good at forcing some turnovers with our activity and being in the right position. But I do think our defense has taken a jump over these last 12 or 13 games. That’s been pretty significant.”
3. Turnovers hold Bulls from discovering a rhythm.
The Bulls managed the win regardless of a bevy of errors. They coughed up 16 turnovers, led by 5 from Coby White. It was a excessive quantity of errors that stored the offense from totally reaching the pure rhythm that fed current wins.
However, the 76ers didn’t take full benefit of these alternatives, scoring solely 18 factors off turnovers. The Bulls managed 13 factors off solely seven Philadelphia turnovers to remain degree in that scoring statistic.
The Bulls additionally shot solely 28% (7-for-25) on 3-pointers, however the Sixers additionally shot poorly from lengthy vary, ending 9-for-38 (23.7%).
4. Terry Taylor offers a raise as backup middle.
The Bulls are compelled to go small when Drummond isn’t on the court docket, counting on Taylor, a 6-foot-4 ahead, to fill in because the backup middle. Despite being undersized for the place, nonetheless, Taylor offered a obligatory raise.
Taylor attacked his defensive matchups no matter dimension mismatches, poking the ball away from guards and preserving posts off the block. He was buoyant on the offensive finish, making an up-and-under layup and sinking a putback off an offensive rebound. Taylor completed with 4 factors, three steals, two rebounds and an help.
“I’ve played it my whole life so I’m used to it,” Taylor stated. “I’m kind of used to people not being so sure about me playing center because of my size but I’ve got the heart and the will to go out there and compete against anybody.”
5. Patrick Beverley chirps at his former teammates.
It has by no means been in Beverley’s nature to chorus from some trash discuss on the court docket.
The former Bulls guard was keen to have interaction along with his former teammates in his first return to his hometown since signing with the 76ers within the offseason, chirping on the Bulls bench all through the sport. DeRozan talked forwards and backwards with him all evening, hitting the guard along with his favourite “too small” gesture after scoring over him within the ultimate minute of the primary half.
Beverley completed with 4 factors, three assists and two rebounds.
The groups play the finale of their season collection Tuesday in Philadelphia.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com