|
 Philadelphia hasn't even been particularly competitive during the
drought — 16 of the 21 losses have come by double digits and they've
been outscored by an average of 18.1 points over the streak. "It's
hard because of a competitive thing, but in relation to worrying
about a record, we don't live in that world," 76ers coach Brett
Brown told reporters. "I don't bring that to the locker room once."
The Bulls have won six of the last seven meetings with the home team
winning each of the first two matchups this season.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, CSN Philadelphia
ABOUT THE BULLS (37-30): The Bulls, who are fourth in the Eastern
Conference, are chasing third-place Toronto and trying to hold off
several pursuers for home-court advantage in a first-round series.
Center Joakim Noah (12.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, five assists) has
carried the Bulls to a 25-12 mark since the start of the new year,
and they're trying to avoid their first back-to-back losses since
Feb. 1 and 3. Forward Taj Gibson also has played a huge role,
averaging a career-high 13.2 points and hitting double-digits in 24
of his last 28 games.
ABOUT THE 76ERS (15-52): Philadelphia beat Chicago 107-104 on Nov. 2
to cap its season-opening three-game winning streak, but that seems
like an eternity ago. The 76ers have since traded away two of their
top three scorers from that game (Evan Turner and Spencer Hawes) and
a third starter from that contest, James Anderson, is day-to-day
with a bruised quad. Point guard Michael Carter-Williams has been a
bright spot, though, leading all NBA rookies in points (16.8),
rebounds (5.8), assists (6.2) and steals (1.93).
[to top of second column] |
BUZZER-BEATERS
-
The 76ers have dropped a franchise-record 16 straight at home,
tied for the second-longest streak in NBA history behind Dallas'
19-game home skid in 1993-94.
-
Chicago is 25-2 when it scores at least 96 points, while
Philadelphia allows 110.7 points per game.
-
The 76ers have trailed by double digits in 55 of their 67 games
and have allowed 100 or more points 59 times.
PREDICTION: Bulls 98, 76ers 89
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2014 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
