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 The Bulls' streak of seven straight playoff appearances was
snapped when they were eliminated from contention over the weekend.
Despite playing without starters Derrick Rose, Pau Gasol and Taj
Gibson, Chicago has responded to its elimination with consecutive
wins and it has assured itself of finishing at .500 or better for
the eighth straight season. The 76ers have lost three straight after
a 122-98 defeat in Toronto on Tuesday. With another setback they
will clinch the second-worst 82-game record in league history, just
a game better than the franchise's 1972-73 team that went 9-73.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, CSN Philadelphia, CSN Chicago
 ABOUT THE 76ERS (10-71): Robert Covington is making the most of a
meaningless stretch run as he continues to chuck up a boatload of
3-pointers. The third-year pro made 6-of-10 against the Raptors and
is 18-of-40 over a three-game span, during which he is averaging
24.3 points. Fellow forward Nerlens Noel is also finishing strong
with three straight double-doubles.
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ABOUT THE BULLS (41-40): Coach Fred Hoiberg surprised some by
playing leading scorer Jimmy Buler in Monday's 121-116 victory at
New Orleans, despite the fact that the shooting guard has had his
fair share of physical issues. He finished with 23 points and 11
assists in just 29 minutes while six others reached double figures
for the Bulls, who wrapped up their road schedule with a 16-25 mark.
Rookie Cristiano Felicio has taken advantage of a late-season bump
in minutes and recorded 32 points on 13-of-15 shooting over his last
two games combined.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Butler scored a career-high 53 points in a 115-111 overtime win
in Philadelphia on Jan. 14.
2. Philadelphia has attempted 118 3-pointers during its current
losing streak.
3. The Bulls have won nine consecutive meetings and seven in a row
at home.
PREDICTION: Bulls 98, 76ers 89
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