Bulls cut 20-point deficit to 1, but 76ers prevail

[May 04, 2021]  Tobias Harris recorded 21 points and nine rebounds to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 106-94 victory over the host Chicago Bulls on Monday night.

Seth Curry scored 20 points as Philadelphia won its fifth straight game. The 76ers (44-21) also increased their lead in the Eastern Conference to one game over the Brooklyn Nets.

Ben Simmons registered 15 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals for Philadelphia. Danny Green added 14 points and four steals, and Joel Embiid had 13 points, 10 rebounds and three blocked shots for the 76ers, who went 3-0 against Chicago this season and stretched their series winning streak to seven.

Coby White recorded 23 points and five assists for the Bulls (26-39), who have lost four straight games and five of six.

Thaddeus Young tallied 13 points, Daniel Theis and Denzel Valentine added 11 apiece and Tomas Satoransky scored 10 for Chicago.

The Bulls were without standout Zach LaVine for the 11th straight game due to health and safety protocols. Nikola Vucevic (adductor) missed his second consecutive game.

Chicago made 41.4 percent of its shots and hit 11 of 34 from 3-point range.

The 76ers hit 53.3 percent of their field-goal attempts, including 11 of 28 from behind the arc.

Chicago trailed by 20 points entering the fourth quarter, but Javonte Green's leaping putback dunk pulled the Bulls within 83-70 with 10:35 remaining.

White followed with a layup to cap a quarter-opening 9-0 run and added a 3-pointer 43 seconds later to move the Bulls within 85-75.

Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) dribbles the ball around Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris (12) during the first quarter at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports

White buried two more 3-pointers as Chicago crept within 88-81 with 8:17 to play. After the 76ers called timeout, Valentine drained back-to-back 3-pointers to pull the Bulls within one with 7:01 remaining and force Philadelphia coach Doc Rivers to call another timeout.

Embiid and Harris halted Chicago's momentum with back-to-back baskets, and Simmons added two free throws to make it 94-87 with 4:59 remaining.

Simmons later stole the ball and drove for a dunk to make it 103-92 with 1:02 left as Philadelphia closed it out.

Green scored all of his 14 points in the first half as Philadelphia led 60-43 at the break. The 76ers shot 59.5 percent from the field, and Chicago made just 34.8 percent.

Harris' basket gave Philadelphia a 23-point edge with 6:29 left in the third quarter. The 76ers' lead was 83-63 entering the final stanza.

--Field Level Media

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