Bulls-76ers Preview

By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO
Posted Dec 12 2012 2:15AM

Success at home in close games against the Chicago Bulls was key to the Philadelphia 76ers ousting the Eastern Conference's top seed in last season's playoffs.

Their recent surge at Wells Fargo Center seems rather similar.

The 76ers will be looking to make things a bit easier on themselves as they go for their eighth win in 10 home games Wednesday night against the Bulls.

Philadelphia (12-9) eliminated Chicago (11-9) in six games during the opening round of the playoffs last spring, winning all three home meetings by an average of 4.3 points.

They've won seven of nine overall meetings when hosting the Bulls, holding an advantage of only 2.5 points per game in that stretch.

The margin for error has been even tighter for Philadelphia during a 7-2 run at home in which it's outscored opponents by an average of 1.1 points.

"It's nice that our guys are finding ways to win those close games because if not, we could be in real trouble with our record," coach Doug Collins said.

Jrue Holiday helped Philadelphia close out Monday's 104-97 win over Detroit by scoring 12 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter and also finishing with eight assists. Evan Turner chipped in with 18 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, giving him an average of 21.2 points while hitting 10 of 19 from behind the arc over the past six home games.

"They have fought, and they have competed and they're growing up," Collins said. "To see Evan and Jrue start to emerge as a backcourt that can play like that together and really thrive is very exciting.

"I think these guys are getting a real confidence about themselves to make plays at the end of the game."

That wasn't the case in Chicago on Dec. 1, when Philadelphia lost 93-88 despite 23 points from Holiday and 22 from Thaddeus Young. Turner struggled, missing 11 of 17 shots and finishing with 12 points.

Young's performance was the start of a five-game stretch in which he's averaged 18.8 points after scoring 20 against the Pistons.

"We're the (three) guys that have to go out there and be key for us each and every night," Young said.

The Bulls, without Richard Hamilton for the last five games (sprained left foot), are looking to rebound from Tuesday's 94-89 defeat to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Chicago, though, has won three in a row on the road, and Hamilton's fill-in is providing an unexpected spark.

Marco Belinelli has averaged 19.8 points while sinking 12 of 30 attempts from beyond the arc in his last four games starting in place of Hamilton, who suffered the injury in the win over Philadelphia earlier this month.

Belinelli will try to continue his surge after posting 18 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals against the Clippers.

Luol Deng wasn't close to being that effective Tuesday, making 3 of 14 field goals to finish with eight points after matching Belinelli's 22 in Saturday's 93-85 win over New York.

Deng leads the Bulls with 17.8 points per game, and he scored 25 with seven rebounds and seven assists versus the 76ers on Dec. 1.

Bulls beat 76ers 96-89 for 4th straight road win

Posted Dec 12 2012 11:08PM

PHILADELPHIA (AP) Not only were the Chicago Bulls short-handed, they were a bit weary after a tough five-point loss to the Los Angeles Clippers at home on Tuesday night.

The Bulls sure didn't look tired or depleted less than 24 hours later.

Joakim Noah scored 21 points, Luol Deng added 19 points and 12 rebounds, and the Bulls won their fourth in a row on the road with a 96-89 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night.

"We've been fighting all year, but we've let a lot of games slip," Noah said. "But there's a lot of basketball left and we have to keep playing like this. Back-to-back can be tough if you let it. We fought hard and we had everyone here contribute. That's what you need and I thought we were resilient. We went to the basket hard and we went to the glass hard."

Following that home loss, the Bulls traveled to Philadelphia and appeared more rested than the Sixers, who had Tuesday off.

Marco Belinelli had 16 points and Nate Robinson, starting in place of guard Kirk Hinrich, had 14 for Chicago. Hinrich injured his left knee in Tuesday's loss to the Clippers and is listed as day to day.

"In the NBA, you have to play whatever is in front of you," Chicago coach Tom Thibodeau said. "Back-to-back doesn't matter. Readiness to play is huge in this league and tonight, we showed that. We were tough."

Jrue Holiday scored 26 points, Evan Turner added 16 and Thaddeus Young had 13 for Philadelphia. Reserve Spencer Hawes chipped in with 10 points and 10 rebounds, and Nick Young also scored 10 for the Sixers.

Down the stretch it was the Sixers who seemed to have heavy legs.

"I thought fatigue was a factor," Philadelphia coach Doug Collins said.

Philadelphia took an 80-79 lead when Holiday knocked down a jumper with 5:20 remaining.

But the short-handed Bulls - still playing without All-Star guard Derrick Rose (left knee), as well as guards Richard Hamilton (torn plantar fascia in his left foot) and Hinrich - responded with a 7-0 run to take an 86-80 lead.

Jason Richardson hit a 3-pointer to get the Sixers within three before Deng came right back with a tough driving layup to push the lead back to five.

Deng had one of his worst games of the season with an eight-point effort against the Clippers, but he shook it off to help carry the Bulls to another tough road win.

"Sometimes back-to-back, you feel great, and sometimes, you don't and something is just missing," Deng said. "Tonight, we were ready to bounce back."

The Sixers took a 44-41 lead into halftime despite missing all four of their 3-point attempts and all three of their free throws. Philadelphia shot 46 percent from the field and wound up at 45 percent by the end of the game.

"We just have to continue to execute and put our pulse on the game early," Thaddeus Young said. "If we do that, we'll be fine."

Notes: Bulls F Carlos Boozer was whistled for a technical foul with 5:41 left in the second quarter. . Sixers G Royal Ivey sat out with strep throat and F Damien Wilkins missed the game with a right calf strain. . Noah also had seven rebounds and five assists. . Actor Marlon Wayans attended the game.

Notebook: Bulls 96, 76ers 89

Andy Jasner, for NBA.com
Posted Wed Dec 12, 2012 11:19 PM - Updated Wed Dec 12, 2012 11:19 PM

THE FACTS: Joakim Noah scored 21 points, Luol Deng contributed 19 points and 12 rebounds and a depleted group of Chicago Bulls managed to defeat the Philadelphia 76ers 96-89 Wednesday night at the Wells Fargo Center. Marco Belinelli scored 16 points and Nate Robinson had 14 for the Bulls, who improved to 12-9.

Jrue Holiday continued his strong play with 26 points for the Sixers. Evan Turner scored 16 points, Thaddeus Young had 13 while Nick Young and Spencer Hawes chipped in with 10 points each. The Sixers dropped to 12-10.

QUOTABLE: "There's still a lot of basketball left to be played, but I thought this was a good win for us."
-- Bulls' Joakim Noah

THE STAT: The Sixers were just 1-for-5 from the free-throw line through the third quarter. They wound up 5-for-11 while the Bulls were 24-for-26.

TURNING POINT: Trailing 80-79, the Bulls ripped off a 7-0 run for an 86-80 lead with 3:32 remaining. It was enough of a cushion to help them pull away at the end.

HOT: Noah was 7-for-10 from the field and 7-for-7 from the free-throw line.

NOT: Jason Richardson missed seven of his nine shots and was just 2-for-6 from beyond the arc for the Sixers.

QUOTABLE II: "The thing for us is we want to continue to improve. The big challenge in the NBA is whatever's in front of you, you have to attack it. Sometimes, the schedule is in your favor. Sometimes, it's not."
-- Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau on posting a win one night after losing to the Clippers at home.

FANTASY SPOTLIGHT: Deng had 19 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and one steal for a stellar all-around performance.

INSIDE THE ARENA: There was a buzzing crowd of 15,738 for this rematch of last year's playoffs, won by the Sixers in six games. Actor Marlon Wayans attended the game.

QUOTABLE III: "It's disappointing to say the least. We have to keep growing."
-- Sixers coach Doug Collins

GOOD MOVE: Even though Deng and Noah have plenty heavy minutes all season, Thibodeau recognized that this duo had plenty of energy on a back-to-back. Deng played 37:27 and Noah played 44:21. But they were effective right up to the end and propelled the Bulls to a big win on the road.

BAD MOVE: Dorell Wright played only 2:21 for the Sixers. Before the game, Collins talked about fitting Wright more into the offense, especially with his penchant for long-range shooting. It's not easy to find much rhythm when the playing time is that scarce.

ROOKIE WATCH: Bulls guard Marquis Teague had six points, four assists and two rebounds. For the Sixers, forward Arnett Moultrie had two points and one rebound while guard Maalik Wayns was scoreless in a brief 57-second stint.

NOTABLE: Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich was out with a left knee injury. He remains day-to-day. Robinson started in his place... Chicago forward Carlos Boozer picked up a technical foul late in the second quarter for arguing a non-call. ... Sixers guard Royal Ivey (strep throat) and swingman Damien Wilkins (right calf strain) each missed the game. ... Deng picked up his third double-double of the season. ... Noah reached the 20-point plateau for the fifth time this season. He had never reached 20 points more than three times in any previous single season. ... The Sixers trailed by three points after the third and fell to 1-10 when tied or trailing after three quarters. ... Holiday has scored at least 25 points in consecutive games for the first time in his career. ... The Sixers are 3-8 when scoring less than 90 points after going 2-18 last season.

NEXT: For the Bulls, Saturday vs. Brooklyn, Monday @ Memphis, Tuesday vs. Boston. For the Sixers, Friday @ Indiana, Sunday vs. L.A. Lakers, Tuesday @ Dallas.

• Bulls: Hamilton, Hinrich, Rose
• 76ers: Bynum

• Bulls: Boozer
• 76ers: --

• Lead Changes: 12
• Times Tied: 11

• Arena: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
• Officials: #43 Dan Crawford, #47 Bennie Adams, #78 Scott Bolnick
• Attendance: 15738
• Duration: 2:11