The Philadelphia 76ers snapped their three-game losing streak with a 116-96 win over the Chicago Bulls at the United Center.
The 76ers have now won 50 games in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1984/85 and 1985/86.
JJ Redick had the hot hand for Philly with a team-high 23 points on 8-of-12 shooting, including 4-of-7 from deep, while Joel Embiid recorded his 58th double-double of the season with 20 points and 10 rebounds, adding five assists and three blocks on the night.
JJ Redick puts up 23 PTS, 4 3PM, leading the @sixers to their 50th win of the season! #HereTheyCome pic.twitter.com/OTNhcNA2M0
— NBA (@NBA) April 7, 2019
Embiid led the charge for the 76ers early, recording 14 points in the first half on 7-of-11 shooting, helping his team overcome a slow start to take an eight-point lead into the half.
Chicago didn't have much in the way of keeping Embiid out of the paint as he continued to feast at the rim, combining with Ben Simmons for this monster alley-oop.
.@BenSimmons25 👀@JoelEmbiid 🔨@StateFarm | #HereTheyCome pic.twitter.com/AnH2Dhqc4T
— * - Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) April 7, 2019
Simmons finished with 14 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals on the night, while Tobas Harris added 16 points.
With Jimmy Butler missing his second straight game with back tightness and the 76ers firmly in control, coach Brett Brown went deep into his rotation, with new signing Greg Monroe scoring nine points in his 10 minutes of action. Boban Marjanovic added 10 points and seven rebounds in 10 minutes, while rookie Jonah Bolden continued his recent good form, chipping in 11 points off the bench, earning minutes at power forward.
🇦🇺 @Jonahbolden43 provides a spark off the bench for the @sixers in their 116-96 win over the @chicagobulls #HereTheyCome
— NBA Australia (@NBA_AU) April 7, 2019
📊 11 PTS | 3 REB | 2 AST | 1 BLK pic.twitter.com/2edSNF3cOV
The (22-58) Bulls limped into the game, missing all five starters, with Zach LaVine, Lauri Markkanen, Otto Porter Jr., Wendell Carter Jr. and Kris Dunn all dealing with injuries. In their place Walt Lemon Jr., Shaquille Harrison, Robin Lopez, Wayne Selden Jr. and Rawle Alkins started with none of them cracking double digit scoring.
Former 76er JaKarr Sampson put on a show against his old team, scoring a game-high 29 points off the bench, with fellow former 76er Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot chipping in with 14.
Following tonight's victory, the 76ers need just one more win from their remaining two games or a loss for the Boston Celtics to secure the #3 seed in the Eastern Conference. They take on the Miami Heat on Wednesday, before hosting the Bulls in their last regular season game on Thursday.
