19 Jan 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers Guard Scoot Henderson (00) drives to the basket during the second half against Chicago Bulls guard Zach Lavine (8) at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Waynen-Imagn images Steady for a possession, shaky under the next.
So it applies to Chicago Bulls, who has dropped six of seven matches coming into Saturday night’s visit from the Philadelphia 76ers, which snapped a seven-game ski Friday night.
Chicago has a two-game edge on Philadelphia for 10th place in the eastern conference but would rather climb after the season steps than teeter from the lowest runway.
While the Bulls can point to victories against East challenger Boston and New York on their CV, they also arrive on Thursday’s 25-point loss on Golden State, a team on the West Playoff bubble.
“Definitely frustrating to be a competitor to know that we have shown that we can [succeed]”Said Chicago Guard Ayo Dosunmu.” Not just once but several occasions. Then you get excitement and understand that (maybe) you are really close to being a really good basketball team consistently. That’s how I try to look at it and not in a negative way. “
Bull’s leading goal scorer Zach Lavine, who is on average 24 points per match, drilled a 3-point late in the second quarter Thursday to become the sixth player who scored at least 10,000 points with Chicago. He helped Bulls take a half-time lead of 64-63.
Not much went right after that and sent the bulls back to the board. Again.
“I think we have been very inconsistent, especially in recent times,” said Chicagos Nikola Vucevic. “We just don’t do things we need to do to win games.”
The 76th century hopes to build momentum from Friday’s 132-129 home victory against the eastern leading Cleveland Cavaliers.
Paul George (30 points) and Tyrese Maxey (29) triggered the crime while Maxey helped to facilitate it as well and contributed seven assists.
“They must be aggressive. They must be aggressive, as they pay attention to a lot,” said Filadelfia’s Eric Gordon. “They have to get other guys open shots, and they must also score goals for themselves, so they have to be creative.”
Philadelphia will strive to duplicate-or at least approaching the success of 3-points. The 76th century met a season high 21 against Cleveland. George contributed six 3 points, with Maxy and Gordon that add four.
“It feels good that we move the ball, we make the extra effort to make the extra pass,” Gordon said. “It means a lot to our team, so we have to go and try to get a new win tomorrow.”
Philadelphia has won two straight matches in the series with Chicago and six of the last 10.
Joel Embiid published a double double double dub and 12 returns to spark the 76s to a victory 108-100 in Chicago on December 8. Embiid has missed the last 10 matches with a knee injury and will not play Saturday, 76ers coach Nick nurse said.
Lavine led Chicago with 30 points in the game, which saw two -digit help efforts from both sides. Maxey had 14 for 76ers and Josh Giddey pulled out 11 for the bulls.
Bulls and 76ers end their seasonal series with games in Philadelphia on February 24 and April 13.
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