The Philadelphia 76ers will host the Chicago Bulls tonight in South Philadelphia. The Bulls, powered by Zach LaVine, are in the mix for an Eastern Conference playoff spot while the Sixers, sit atop of the standings at 19-10, a game ahead of the Brooklyn Nets. The Sixers have lost three of four games but have dominated teams from the Eastern Conference and enter tonight as eight point home favorites.

The Bulls are looking for their third straight win but will be without Laurie Markkanen and Otto Porter Jr. tonight against the Sixers. Tonight, they will be led by Zach LaVine and backcourt mate Coby White. LaVine is sixth in the league in scoring at 28.5 points per game, shooting a very impressive 43.7 percent from three point range. To go along with elite scoring, LaVine averages 5.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game. In his last outing, he dropped 37 points on the Detroit Pistons, adding five rebounds, five assits, and three steals in their 105-102 victory. Coby White has exceeded expectations in his sophomore season, leading the team with 5.4 assists per game. He averages 15.8 points and 4.7 rebounds on the year.

Joel Embiid has propelled the Sixers to the top of the Eastern Conference. He’s fourth in the league in scoring at 29.7 points per game while adding 10.7 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game. In what was somewhat off an off-night for Embiid against the Rockets, he still poured in 31 points and fell short of triple double by one assist, finishing with 11 rebounds and nine assists.

Ben Simmons is expected to return after missing one game due to a non-COVID related illness. Over the last 11 games, Simmons has averaged 20 points on 60 percent shooting with 8 rebounds and 8 assists in 36 minutes. Prior to that, he was averaging 13.4 points on 51 percent shooting. Offensively, Simmons has been more aggressive as of late and is using his body in the paint to create more shots. He’s attacked the rim and looked to draw fouls and has increased his free throw percentage to 64 percent on the season.

Seth Curry and Danny Green look to keep things rolling along the perimeter after they both had great games against the Houston Rockets. The spacing that Curry and Green provide for Embiid and Simmons is a difference maker for the 76ers, even more so when they are knocking down three pointers.

Curry scored 25 points and added 5 assists on three of five shooting from beyond the arc. Curry was impressive all over the court and even flashed his ability to create his own shot, something the Sixers desperately needed last night. Danny Green hit four three pointers in the first half to lead the Sixers shooting 11 for 18 from three point range to start the game. Much like their lead, in the second half, the hot perimeter shooting went completely cold and the Sixers finished 12 for 26 from three point range.

The Bulls can certainly put up massive offensive numbers but their defense is absolutely horrible. They are in the bottom five of the NBA in points allowed, giving up 115.4 points per game. Much like last game, I’m always hesitant to take the Sixers when they are heavily favored. That is not the case tonight. The line moved from Sixers -9 to -8 over the last 24 hours. If it was at -9, I would have taken the Bulls but that one point now has me leaning to Sixers -8.

Bet: Sixers -8 and o228.5

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Mandatory Credit: ESPN.com