After losing to the Indiana Pacers this week, the Chicago Bulls would bounce back with a 105-92 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday, December 30, at the United Center.
The Bulls were led by center Andre Drummond, who finished with a game-high 23 rebounds and 15 points in the win. Drummond earned his third start at the center position, as Bulls big man Nikola Vucevic recovers from a groin injury.
“We weren’t that great in the first quarter with six turnovers,” said Bulls coach Billy Donovan via the Associated Press. “But as the game went on, we got better.”
Although the team got off to a slow start, the Bulls would outscore the 76ers 21-17 in the first quarter, 35-31 in the second quarter, 24-23 in the third quarter and 25-21 in the fourth quarter to close out the game.
Forward DeMar DeRozan led all scorers with 24 points in Saturday’s win over the 76ers. According to Bulls PR, with 23 rebounds versus Philadelphia, center Andre Drummond has totaled 64 rebounds over his last three games (12/26-12/30). Drummond has the highest three-game rebounding total by any Bulls player since January of 1998.
Final Score: Bulls 105, 76ers 92
With the win, the Bulls improved to 15-19 on the season and will play the 76ers again on Tuesday, January 2, on the road. Game time 6 p.m.
Prior to their victory over the 76ers on Saturday night, the Bulls defense had no answer for point guard Tyrese Haliburton earlier in the week who tallied 21 points and 20 assist versus Chicago.
The Bulls 120-104 loss to the Pacers at home was their 19th of the season. The Bulls fought back from a 25 point lead built by the Pacers, only to fall short of their comeback effort in the fourth quarter.
Forward Patrick Williams finished with a team-high 22 points in the loss. Williams said on the team’s play down the stretch.
“Just play and be aggressive,” Williams said to the Crusader.
Final Score: Bulls 104, Pacers 120
Crusader Players of The Game:
Andre Drummond, Bulls, finished with 15 points and 23 rebounds versus the 76ers.
Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers, finished with 21 points and 20 assist versus the Bulls.
Patrick Williams, Bulls, scored a team-high 22 points versus the Pacers.
Joseph Phillips is the Sports Editor for the Chicago Crusader Newspaper. He is a Chicago native, who has been a sports writer for over 17 years. He also hosts the SC Media News and Sports Network Q&A radio show on WHPK 88.5 FM Chicago.
