An NBA Game Day Preview between the Chicago Bulls Vs Philadelphia 76ers – StatementGames alternative Fantasy Basketball, play for FREE and WIN CASH Rewards.
When: 7:30 EST, February 19th, 2021
Where: Wells Fargo Arena, Philadelphia, PA
TV: ESPN
Point Spread: 76ers -9.5
OVER/UNDER Game Total: 229.5
Chicago Bulls
Record: 12-15
Road Record: 7-6
ATS: 16-11
Philadelphia 76ers
Record: 19-10
Home Record: 12-2
ATS: 14-14-1
Chicago Bulls Vs Philadelphia 76ers Game Day Preview
The Philadelphia 76ers Joel Embiid continues to perform at an MVP level.
For now, the question becomes – will the Philadelphia 76ers’ All-Star be able to keep playing every night? Chicago Bulls Vs Philadelphia 76ers on national TV tonight!
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls recently rallied from a 25-point deficit and pulled out a WIN against the Detroit Pistons (105-102).
Zach LaVine led the way with 37 points to help push the Bulls to the largest comeback victory in the league this season.
Bulls head coach Billy Donovan was clearly upset with his starting unit as he made a number of lineup changes in the second half. The strategy worked.
“As professionals you hope they go to the locker room; they regroup; they realize there’s going to be some changes made,” Donovan said. “When my number’s called, I have to be ready and prepared, and I thought those guys did that.”
Thad Young, a former Sixer, gave the Bulls a big spark off the bench with nine points and 10 rebounds. The Bulls, who have dropped five in a row at Philadelphia, will likely be without Otto Porter Jr. for a ninth consecutive game with back spasms.
LaVine was terrific in the third quarter as the Bulls mounted a huge comeback. Their defense overall was better as they limited the Pistons to only 12 points in that quarter.
“It’s a flip of the switch,” LaVine said. “Sometimes you gotta go out there and make a play.”
Coby White struggled in the first half, but responded well in the fourth. White finished with eight points and six rebounds.
“I need to grow up a little bit,” said White. “It was a learning experience for me. I’ve got to accept the challenge.”
Philadelphia 76ers
Despite wincing in pain throughout Wednesday’s 118-113 win over the Houston Rockets, Embiid managed 31 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists in 37 minutes.
It was Embiid’s seventh game this season with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds. Embiid could be seen stretching his back during timeouts against the Rockets.
Can he keep pushing through the discomfort?
“It’s not alarming,” Embiid said. “As NBA players, we play every single night, and the body is just sore and you’ve just got to take care of yourself. It’s normal. It’s just tightness. As the days go, some days it’s tighter than usual; some days it’s not.”
Embiid aggravated his back during a hard fall against the Los Angeles Lakers on Jan. 27 and he missed Monday’s road loss against the Utah Jazz.
“Obviously, in Utah, and even during the Suns game and after the Suns game, it got tighter than usual,” Embiid said. “Today, especially when we started the game, it was tighter than usual. … I’ve just got to go home and continue to do what I’ve been doing and I’ll be fine.”
Ben Simmons missed the game against the Rockets with a stomach illness. Reserve Shake Milton was also held out with a sore ankle. The status for both players remains unclear for the game against the Bulls.
Seth Curry (25 points) and Tobias Harris (24 points, 15 rebounds) picked up the slack without Simmons and Milton.
Bulls Vs 76ers Facts
- Bulls are 10-1 ATS in their last 11 games as a road underdog.
- 76ers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 home games.
- Bulls are 1-4 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Philadelphia.
Chicago Bulls Vs Philadelphia 76ers Alternative Fantasy Basketball-Statement Games Picks
Bulls 107 76ers 115
- 10 PT Pick: Ben Simmons OVER 9.5 Assists
- 9 PT Pick: Zach Lavine OVER 5.5 Assists
- 8 PT Pick: Zach LaVine UNDER 30.5 PTS
Play Fantasy Basketball
Also Available In the Apple & Google Play Store