Game Recap: Behind Vets, Bulls Down Sixers

Snapshot:PHILADELPHIA, PA – Entering Friday's game, Brett Brown and the 76ers knew exactly what the Chicago Bulls were – mature, defensively sound, and strong on the backboards. Each of those factors were prominent in the Sixers' 105-89 setback, their second loss in a row after back-to-back wins. “Right at the start of it, you felt…the physicality, you felt the age, you felt the veteran, you felt the experience,” Brown said afterwards. All-Stars Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler each went for 26 points, while point guard Rajon Rondo served as Chicago's maestro, finishing with 10 assists and eight rebounds. The Bulls' starting unit accounted for all but 25 of their points.”You saw an NBA team that's good,” said Brown. “That's a good team, a really good team.”Chicago's win was its 10th this season. Facing an opponent with the eighth-lowest defensive rating in the league, the Sixers – throughout the night – had a hard time finding their rhythm. They managed 19 points in the first quarter, and were down 10 points, 57-47, at the half. Chicago turned the Sixers over 19 times, generating 24 points off those miscues.In terms of rebounding, the Bulls, again behind the strength of their first group, were in control. Through three quarters, the visitors were plus-nine on the glass.”You walked into that gym right from the get-go, and you knew you were going to be in for a fist fight with a physical team, a bunch of men, All-Star men, championship men,” Brown said. As Brown pointed out, Chicago, playing the final game in a run of six straight on the road, took the floor with purpose, racking up the first eight points of the evening, en route to building up a 9-2 edge.The Sixers then responded with six consecutive points of their own, all of which came from Jahlil Okafor, who started in place of a resting Joel Embiid. “He started well,” Brown said of Okafor. “He scored, he went at them. They had a hard time defending him at some of those elbow isolation spots.”At the outset, the Sixers kept the contest close, trailing 23-19 through the first 12 minutes of regulation. In the second frame, the seasoned, savvy Bulls grabbed hold of the match-up, finding their way to the free throw line for 16 foul shots. The Sixers' deficit was 10 at the break, 57-47, and increased to as many as 28 points early in the fourth. “I give a lot of credit defensively,” said Brown, noting that Chicago pushed the Sixers out of the dribble hand-off action they were hoping to establish. “Our offense at times dried up. I give them more credit than anything.” For as much as the Bulls got a boost from their starters, the Sixers' primary source of energy came from their bench. Nik Stauskas generated 13 points, five rebounds, three assists, and a personal-best tying three blocks. Friday's game was the first time in his three-year career he reached all four of those numbers in the same outing, and the first time a member of the Sixers had done so since 2013.”In a game like this, in the second half, we just go out and try and play hard,” Stauskas said. “It is really tough to get back in the game. Our mindset is go out there and play hard.”Among the Sixers' reserves, Hollis Thompson was also productive, posting 11 points and five rebounds. He was perfect on three attempts from the perimeter.Richaun Holmes, back after a one game absence caused by gastroenteritis, punched in a season-best 13 points, to go along with five boards and three swats.Ersan Ilyasova paced the Sixers with 14 points and seven rebounds, a team-high mark shared by Dario Saric as well. For the first time this season, Jerryd Bayless got the starting point guard nod. He turned in 11 points, four rebounds, and two assists. “It's going to take time to get comfortable,” he said following just his third appearance of the year. “It'll be okay. The sun will come up tomorrow, and we'll get back to work.”Check back later for a complete game recap.