76ers 79, Bulls 74
76ERS 79, BULLS 74: Spencer Hawes led the way with 21 points and nine rebounds and Evan Turner and Jrue Holiday each came through late as host Philadelphia dominated the fourth quarter to take a 2-1 lead in the series.
Holiday finished with 17 points, six rebounds and six assists while Turner added 16 points and nine boards for the 76ers, who will go for a commanding 3-1 lead at home on Sunday.
After struggling in the third, Philadelphia turned the tables in the fourth, holding the Bulls scoreless for over four minutes and grabbing the lead on a Hawes' 20-foot jumper that capped a 16-2 run with 2:11 left.
Turner and Holiday combined to hit three of four free throws to extend the run to 19-2 with 49 seconds left before the Bulls finally scored, cutting it to 75-74 on John Lucas III’s 3-pointer.
Turner and Holiday each hit two more free throws in the final 20 seconds to seal it.
Chicago ended up going 2 for 18 and missing all four of its free throw attempts over the final 9:33.
The Bulls trailed 40-39 at the half but went back to doing what they do best in the third quarter - playing team defense. Chicago limited the 76ers to 4-for-21 shooting (19 percent) from the floor while outscoring them 21-11 in the frame to grab the lead.
Carlos Boozer collected 18 points and 10 rebounds but Luol Deng was held to five points on 2-of-7 shooting for the Bulls.
GAME NOTEBOOK: C.J. Watson and Lucas combined for 12 points (all by Lucas) and seven assists in place of the injured Derrick Rose (knee). … Chicago fell to 18-11 this season without Rose in the lineup. … The 76ers went 1 for 12 from 3-point range and shot just 34 percent in the contest. The Bulls shot 37 percent from the field but were outscored 28-14 in the fourth quarter.