The Chicago Bulls would lose back to back games this week to both the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks on the road.
In game one, the 76ers defeated the Bulls 110-97 behind 31 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assist by center Joel Embiid. Embiid posted a triple double versus the Bulls after missing four games due to an injury.
“I think it’s two different teams,” said Bulls coach Billy Donovan via the Associated Press. “You’ve not going to play him 1-on-1. You’ve going to play him with five people at all times.”
The Bulls had no answer for Embiid and the 76ers offense, who outscored Chicago 43-18 in the first quarter and 30-24 in the second quarter en route to victory.
In the loss versus the 76ers, Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan scored a team-high 16 points on Tuesday, January 2, night. Center Andre Drummond extended his double-digit rebound streak to four with 17 rebounds in the loss.
Final Score: Bulls 97, 76ers 110
With the loss, the Bulls dropped to 15-20 on the season and played the New York Knicks on Wednesday, January 3, at Madison Square Garden.
The Knicks beat the Bulls in a nationally televised game on ABC 7, 116-100 behind two 30-point performances by forward Julius Randle and guard Jalen Brunson.
Randle scored a game-high 35 points and Brunson added 31 points in the victory. The Bulls competed with the Knicks in the first two quarters of play, jumping out to a 55-51 halftime lead.
In the second half, the Knicks dominated the Bulls 35-23 in the third quarter and closed out the game with a 30-22 run.
Final Score: Bulls 100, Knicks 116
The Bulls were led by forward DeMar DeRozan who scored a team-high 28 points versus the Knicks. Bulls guard Coby White added 26 points in the loss.
Crusader Player of The Game: Joel Embiid, 76ers, 31 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists versus Chicago.
