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PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia 76ers got a bit healthier on Wednesday as they played host to the Chicago Bulls. The Sixers welcomed Paul George back after he missed 25 games due to a league suspension while Joel Embiid made his return after missing 13 games due to a right oblique strain.
Embiid was dominant from the jump and he finished with 35 points, six rebounds, and seven assists to lead the Sixers to a 157-137 win over the Bulls at home. Embiid played 28 minutes and was able to find his rhythm early for Philadelphia and help the Sixers get back in the win column as they look to make a push into the top 6 and earn a guaranteed playoff spot.
VJ Edgecombe added 22 points, six rebounds, and six assists, George had 28 points, six rebounds, and four assists, and Justin Edwards added 12 points off the bench while Cam Payne had 15 points. Quentin Grimes had 13, six boards, and five assists, and Dominick Barlow had nine points, five rebounds, five assists, and two blocks.
Here are the player grades after the win:
The rookie was aggressive with his offense early. He had a nice drive to the basket for an easy hoop and he continued to stay aggressive with his paint touches as he was able to draw fouls and get to the foul line to keep the scoreboard moving. He was efficient with his overall offense, knocked down some 3s, and was able to get into a rhythm early and often. His playmaking and rebounding were on display in this one as well. There were a few moves he put on in this one that make one go “he shouldn’t be able to do that this early”. Edgecombe continues to be impressive in a number of aspects.
Struggling with his shot early, Grimes found a way to be impactful in this one. He was aggressive defensively as he bothered Chicago’s perimeter ball-handlers and he helped on the glass. He also made plays for others with his passing before finally getting a triple to fall and getting things going on offense. He then was able to put the ball on the floor, attack defenders on closeouts, and get to the basket for an array of tough finishes.
It was a tough offensive start for George, but he was able to make an impact in terms of being able to attack the glass and provide a presence on the defensive end. Just his mere presence on defense made a difference for Philadelphia. He was able to set the tone on that end and give the Sixers a boost. He did finally find a groove in the third quarter as he knocked down some open 3s and put the ball on the floor which led to some opportunities in rhythm. It was a solid return for George as he looks to reintegrate himself into everything. His big second half in terms of scoring was a big help for Philadelphia.
It was a nice night for Barlow as he moved back into a role where the Sixers don’t need too much from him. He had two blocks in the early going, was helpful on the glass, and found himself a hustle bucket as he gave Philadelphia some good minutes. His development as a rim protector on the defensive end is something that the Sixers will continue to lean on as time moves on.
The big fella did not miss a beat. Embiid made life miserable for every Bulls defender thrown his way as he knocked down a couple of triples in the early going and then went to work in the paint. There was not a single thing Chicago could do to try and slow him down in the early going. Normally, Embiid needs some time to get back into things, but he was terrific from the jump and was able to establish himself in a rhythm early. When he is playing like this, there is nobody in the league who can stop him. He talked a little trash with Bulls big man Guerschon Yabusele—a former Sixer—and then ended up rejecting his shot at the rim. It was a great showing for him in this one.
Remaining in the rotation, Edwards stepped in and immediately made an impact. He put the ball on the floor and had a nice finish at the basket through contact and then drilled an open 3-pointer. He continues to just play good basketball on both ends. There is a lot to like about Edwards’ game and he showed it in a big way in this one.
Moving back into a reserve role, Bona had a good night. He was energetic on both ends, attacked the glass, and had some tough finishes in the paint in order to give the bench unit an inside presence. He was active around the rim as well as he protected the basket with ferocity.
Payne gave the Sixers some immediate offense in his initial stint. He knocked down two triples to get the scoreboard moving and lead the bench unit and he was also helpful on the glass. Payne continuing to find a rhythm will be a big find for this group down the stretch. He knocked down more 3s after halftime as he gave a complete game.
It wasn’t an efficient start to the night for Watford, but he was able to give the Sixers a lift in terms of ball-handling and paint touches. He is a player with a lot of length and a high basketball IQ so he was able to make things happen for Philadelphia in his stint off the bench.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Player grades: Joel Embiid returns to lead Sixers past Bulls at home
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Embiid was dominant from the jump and he finished with 35 points, six rebounds, and seven assists to lead the Sixers to a 157-137 win over the Bulls at home. Embiid played 28 minutes and was able to find his rhythm early for Philadelphia and help the Sixers get back in the win column as they look to make a push into the top 6 and earn a guaranteed playoff spot.
VJ Edgecombe added 22 points, six rebounds, and six assists, George had 28 points, six rebounds, and four assists, and Justin Edwards added 12 points off the bench while Cam Payne had 15 points. Quentin Grimes had 13, six boards, and five assists, and Dominick Barlow had nine points, five rebounds, five assists, and two blocks.
Here are the player grades after the win:
VJ Edgecombe: A-plus
The rookie was aggressive with his offense early. He had a nice drive to the basket for an easy hoop and he continued to stay aggressive with his paint touches as he was able to draw fouls and get to the foul line to keep the scoreboard moving. He was efficient with his overall offense, knocked down some 3s, and was able to get into a rhythm early and often. His playmaking and rebounding were on display in this one as well. There were a few moves he put on in this one that make one go “he shouldn’t be able to do that this early”. Edgecombe continues to be impressive in a number of aspects.
Quentin Grimes: B
Struggling with his shot early, Grimes found a way to be impactful in this one. He was aggressive defensively as he bothered Chicago’s perimeter ball-handlers and he helped on the glass. He also made plays for others with his passing before finally getting a triple to fall and getting things going on offense. He then was able to put the ball on the floor, attack defenders on closeouts, and get to the basket for an array of tough finishes.
Paul George: A-minus
It was a tough offensive start for George, but he was able to make an impact in terms of being able to attack the glass and provide a presence on the defensive end. Just his mere presence on defense made a difference for Philadelphia. He was able to set the tone on that end and give the Sixers a boost. He did finally find a groove in the third quarter as he knocked down some open 3s and put the ball on the floor which led to some opportunities in rhythm. It was a solid return for George as he looks to reintegrate himself into everything. His big second half in terms of scoring was a big help for Philadelphia.
Dominick Barlow: B-plus
It was a nice night for Barlow as he moved back into a role where the Sixers don’t need too much from him. He had two blocks in the early going, was helpful on the glass, and found himself a hustle bucket as he gave Philadelphia some good minutes. His development as a rim protector on the defensive end is something that the Sixers will continue to lean on as time moves on.
Joel Embiid: A-plus
The big fella did not miss a beat. Embiid made life miserable for every Bulls defender thrown his way as he knocked down a couple of triples in the early going and then went to work in the paint. There was not a single thing Chicago could do to try and slow him down in the early going. Normally, Embiid needs some time to get back into things, but he was terrific from the jump and was able to establish himself in a rhythm early. When he is playing like this, there is nobody in the league who can stop him. He talked a little trash with Bulls big man Guerschon Yabusele—a former Sixer—and then ended up rejecting his shot at the rim. It was a great showing for him in this one.
Justin Edwards: B
Remaining in the rotation, Edwards stepped in and immediately made an impact. He put the ball on the floor and had a nice finish at the basket through contact and then drilled an open 3-pointer. He continues to just play good basketball on both ends. There is a lot to like about Edwards’ game and he showed it in a big way in this one.
Adem Bona: B
Moving back into a reserve role, Bona had a good night. He was energetic on both ends, attacked the glass, and had some tough finishes in the paint in order to give the bench unit an inside presence. He was active around the rim as well as he protected the basket with ferocity.
Cam Payne: A
Payne gave the Sixers some immediate offense in his initial stint. He knocked down two triples to get the scoreboard moving and lead the bench unit and he was also helpful on the glass. Payne continuing to find a rhythm will be a big find for this group down the stretch. He knocked down more 3s after halftime as he gave a complete game.
Trendon Watford: B
It wasn’t an efficient start to the night for Watford, but he was able to give the Sixers a lift in terms of ball-handling and paint touches. He is a player with a lot of length and a high basketball IQ so he was able to make things happen for Philadelphia in his stint off the bench.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Player grades: Joel Embiid returns to lead Sixers past Bulls at home
Continue reading...
