76ers end dry spell in Chicago with win
CHICAGO -- The Philadelphia 76ers only had 10 players in uniform but still managed to end a 12-game losing streak against the Chicago Bulls with a 117-107 win on Friday night at the United Center.
Dario Saric had a career-high 32 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead five players in double-figure scoring for the Sixers (27-45), who had lost their last nine straight games in Chicago.
Jimmy Butler had 36 points and 11 assists to lead the Bulls (34-39), who trail the Miami Heat by 1 1/2 games for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Bobby Portis had 17 points and 11 rebounds for Chicago, which is 3-9 in its last 12 games.
Trailing 93-71 to start the fourth quarter, the Bulls rallied to briefly make things interesting. They put together a 21-7 run in the first 4:46 to close within 100-92 on a jumper by Portis, but couldn't pull any closer.
Shawn Long had 18 points and Sergio Rodriguez added 12 points and seven assists for the Sixers, with both coming off the bench. Gerald Henderson, inactive the previous two games, chipped in 14 points and T.J. McConnell had 10.
NOTES: Bulls C Robin Lopez returned to the starting lineup after serving a one-game suspension for a fight against Toronto Raptors forward Serge Ibaka on Tuesday. … Chicago F Cristiano Felicio (lower back contusion) is showing progress, but missed his second straight game. … Philadelphia only dressed 10 players against the Bulls after C Jahlil Okafor (sore right knee) joined four injured teammates on the sidelines. Okafor, who had a knee-to-knee collision with Oklahoma City Thunder G Victor Oladipo on Wednesday, received treatments during the game. The Sixers are already missing G Jerryd Bayless (left wrist surgery), C Joel Embiid (left knee), F Ben Simmons (fracture right foot) and F/C Tiago Splitter (right calf strain). “We have 10 guys,” Sixers coach Brett Brown said. “We’ve had lots of practice at this.” … Embiid underwent surgery to repair the meniscus in his left knee and is out for the rest of the season.