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By Sam Smith | 3.11.2015 | 8:45 p.m. CT
The Bulls Wednesday made it dramatic and Aaron Brooks proved the hero as he scored 18 points in the fourth quarter and overtime to save the Bulls in a 104-95 overtime victory over the lowly Philadelphia 76ers.
The Bulls moved to 40-26 and 20-12 on the road; the 76ers fell to 14-50. But not before frightening the Bulls by taking a fourth quarter lead and having two chances to win the game in the last 30 seconds. Both failed. Led by Brooks, the Bulls then pulled away in overtime.
The Bulls were led by Brooks with 31 points and Pau Gasol with 27 points and 16 rebounds for his 44th league-leading double-double. Nikola Mirotic, starting for the injured Joakin Noah, had 16 points and 12 rebounds. The 76ers were led by Ish Smith with 23 points and Isaiah Canaan with 20.
The Bulls got off to a fast start for a change despite four of their top six players out with injuries. The Bulls appeared to be fooled by the 76ers’ poor record and found themselves being outhustled in the second quarter as the 76ers took a 47-41 lead. But behind 19 first half points from Gasol the Bulls tied it at halftime 51-51. The 76ers opened the third quarter failing to score on their first 12 possessions. But the Bulls were almost as inaccurate with just three baskets and went into the fourth quarter leading 72-63 after a Mike Dunleavy half court heave for a closing basket.
Observations:
1. It’s iron man Pau Gasol as the 34-year-old, 14-year veteran has been the Bulls most reliable player with the team working on its 20th different starting lineup while Gasol has the most starts on the team.
2. Nikola Mirotic got his third start and biggest game as a starter showing off his versatility shooting, driving the ball and among the team leaders in assists.
3. Doug McDermott didn’t play much, but he was efficient and aggressive and showed classic shooting form when he got good spot up position.