Sixers get much needed win vs red hot Bulls
It wasn't pretty, but the 76ers improved to 6-2 on the season after a 103-98 win vs Chicago Wednesday night. Seth Curry continues to shine in his new role of being a secondary scorer and he was the hero for the Sixers.
When you have a team coached by Glenn Rivers, no lead is safe. The 76ers had multiple leads in tonights game, of course, all of them were on the edge of being blown. This Bulls team was coming off a very impressive comeback win against Boston last time out, so the Sixers could not take their foot off the gas.
After double digit leads diminished into thin air, it was the defense who stepped up. With a tie game with five minutes remaining in the 4th quarter, the 76ers had an impressive defensive stand that stopped Chicago from making a field goal for two and a half minutes.
Seth Curry made the biggest shot of the game with less than a minute reaming, which turned out to be the dagger.
The legend of Georges Niang
Georges Niang was the best signing by any team this season. If you know me, you know I am willing to die on that hill. Not only is Niang making the majority of his three pointers, he is draining timely buckets. Many times tonight, Niang made big time shots that were momentum killers for the Bulls.
He ended the game with 18 points, making four of his 3-point attempts.
Seth Curry is that guy.
Seth hit a hot streak at the end of this season and it has carried over to this season. He had a team-high 22 points. The offensive game has really slowed down for Seth. He has no trouble getting to his spots and finding an open shot in rhythm. He is no longer just a spot up shooter.
Even when Joel isn't at his best, he makes an impact.
By no means was this the usual MVPIID tonight. At times Embiid would look lost, take bad shots, and have tunnel vision. But he still found ways to help his team win. He came up with an all-time Joel moment with a crucial block to seal the win. Joel's passing was also on display tonight, notching seven assists to his name.
Matisse Thybulle may be the key to the Sixers
Matisse Thybulle made two 3-pointers tonight for the first time all season. Matisse is now shooting 33% from behind the arc on the season. As you could probably guess, Matisse had a defensive performance for the ages. His defensive IQ is off the charts and continues to improve. If Matisse can become a competent corner 3-point shooter, the Sixers will have a very successful season.
DeMar DeRozen was unstoppable
It always seems like DeRozen never fails to torch the 76ers. He had a game-high 37 points. Yes, 37. He was making every shot he took, for the most part. He did a great job getting to the line as well. 11 of his 37 came at the charity strike.
What's next for the Sixers?
The Sixers will travel to Detroit tomorrow to take on the Pistons, before heading to Chicago for a rematch with the Bulls on a short, two game road trip.
With the missing key players, Danny Green and Tobias Harris, stringing a couple of wins together before those two come back to the squad would be huge.
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