Preview: 76ers take on the Eastern Conference leading Chicago Bulls

The Philadelphia 76ers are in Chicago this afternoon to face the Eastern Conference leading Bulls. 

The Sixers are 31-21 and have won six out of their last 10 games, but have lost two straight for the first time in 2022. They are currently in sixth place in the Eastern Conference, two games behind the Bulls. 

As mentioned, the Bulls are in first place in the Eastern Conference at 33-19 on the season. They have won six out of their last 10 games and have won 19 of 25 games at home this season.

Injury Report

Today, they will be shorthanded, with Zach LaVine missing the game, as well as Lonzo Ball, Alex Caruso, Patrick Williams, and Derrick Jones Jr. who all remain out due to long-term injuries. 

Coby White will be a game time decision. 

The Sixers have Matisse Thybulle and Furkan Korkmaz both listed as questionable, with Shake Milton remaining out and Ben Simmons not playing due to being a baby. 

DeRozan and Dosunmu

Despite the injuries, the Bulls have kept things moving in the right direction, with DeMar DeRozan having an MVP-caliber season and the emergence of Ayo Dosunmu. 

Without Lonzo Ball, Dosunmu has started the last 12 games and has averaged 12.8 points while shooting 44.2% from beyond the arc. On Friday, he notched 15 points and 14 assists while lifting the Bulls over the Pacers. 

76ers Need a Complete Game

The Sixers got off to a fast start against the Mavericks before losing all sense of offensive identity in the second half. After holding a double-digit lead at halftime, the 76ers got torched in the third quarter and found themselves down 85-78 heading into the fourth. The Sixes only made six shots in the third and were outscored 32-15 in the frame while committing six turnovers.

That simply cannot happen.

Tobias Harris scored nine points in the first quarter and ended up with just 13 total in the game. At times, the 76ers leave Joel Embiid on an island and that certainly is not a winning formula. A winning formula for the Sixers has been, and always will be, consistent play from anyone on the court with Embiid.

Tonight’s odds brought to you by Parx Sportsbook, the official gambling partner of The Liberty Line.

TEAM	MONEYLINE	SPREAD	TOTALS
Philadelphia 76ers	-162	-3.5 (-108)	O 219.5 (-112)
Chicago Bulls	+136	+3.5 (-112)	U 219.5 (-108)

Sign up for a new Parx Sportsbook account today and use promo code PROCESS. Help us out by depositing $25.00 and get your first bet risk-free up to $500.

I love the Sixers having an injury ridden Chicago Bulls team today. I expect them to get back on track and notch their first win of the month this afternoon. The February schedule only gets harder moving forward and after dropping two straight to the Wizards and Mavericks, the 76ers need a victory today. Bad.

Pick: 76ers -3.5 (-162)