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 Snell, a forward, proved Monday he's capable of contributing
offensively as well. He scored 15 of his season-high 16 points in
the second half to help the Bulls overcome a five-point halftime
deficit and defeat the Philadelphia 76ers 115-96 at the United
Center.
With the 76ers (1-25) leading 56-51 at halftime, Snell stepped up in
the third quarter. He shot 4 of 5 from the field and outscored the
76ers 13-12 in the quarter. Altogether, the Bulls (14-8) outscored
the 76ers 34-12 in the third period to take control.
"I'm very confident I can score, but I'm really confident I can
defend as well," said Snell, who had scored a total of two points in
his previous three games. "Try to do both at the same time."
Snell did more than just score. He also grabbed a career-high 11
rebounds and had two steals. His 36:38 of playing time was also a
season high.
"I think Tony impacted the game every way you possibly can," Bulls
coach Fred Hoiberg said. "He rebounded. He defended. He was getting
to the rim. He was knocking down shots. He got to the free-throw
line. He did everything tonight."
The Bulls put the finishing touches on their win in the fourth
quarter and extended their lead to as many as 28 points. They
outscored the 76ers 64-40 in the second half.
The third quarter was tough for 76ers coach Brett Brown to witness
after seeing his team outscore the Bulls 37-27 in the second
quarter. It has been that type of season for the 76ers, who fell to
0-15 on the road.
"It's a reflection of when the game really gets going and the real
NBA ball is being played in a close game," Brown said. "We got stood
up. We need to respond and set screens and play harder."
76ers center Jahlil Okafor, who attended high school less than a
mile from the United Center, played before a number of family and
friends, and they had plenty to cheer about. He scored 16 of his
team-high 22 points in the first half. He also had eight rebounds.
"It was fun," Okafor said. "I saw my high school principal before
the game. Just pretty fun having all my family here."
Bulls guard Jimmy Butler scored 19 of his game-high 23 points in the
first half. He shot 8 of 9 from the field prior to the break.
Hoiberg said Butler and point guard Derrick Rose, who had six points
on 2 of 3 shooting and four assists, were both playing while under
the weather.
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Bulls center Joakim Noah contributed five points, 15 rebounds, eight
assists and two blocks off the bench. Bulls center Pau Gasol had 13
points, seven rebounds and six assists and forward Nikola Mirotic
connected on five 3-pointers and scored 17 points.
The Bulls and 76ers exchanged the lead nine times and were tied nine
times during the first half. The 76ers finished the second quarter
on a 7-2 run to take a 56-51 lead at halftime.
The Bulls took a 30-21 advantage early in the second quarter after
back-to-back 3-pointers by forward Doug McDermott and Mirotic. The
76ers responded with an 11-0 run, which included nine points by
guard Tony Wroten, to gain a 32-30 advantage. Wroten finished with
12 points.
The Bulls closed the first quarter on a 9-4 run to take a 24-19
lead. Butler was 6 of 7 from the field and scored 12 points in the
quarter, and Gasol contributed seven points, four rebounds and four
assists in the quarter.
76ers forwards Robert Covington and Richaun Holmes also attended
high school in the Chicago area. Covington had 15 points, six
rebounds and two blocks. Holmes had four points and three assists
off the bench.
NOTES: 76ers C Nerlens Noel missed Monday's game and is not expected
to play against the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday after suffering a
left eye corneal abrasion against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday.
"It's not as significant as we guessed," 76ers coach Brett Brown
said prior to the game. ... The 76ers recalled F Christian Wood from
the Delaware 87ers of the NBA Development League on Monday. He
averaged 19.3 points and 11 rebounds in three games with the 87ers.
... Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg cancelled his team's shootaround Monday
morning to allow his players additional rest during a busy stretch
of games. ... C Pau Gasol played in his 100th regular-season game
for the Bulls.
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