Philadelphia 76ers vs Chicago Bulls Box Score on Dec 18, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Dec 18, 2017

CHICAGO -- Nikola Mirotic and Kris Dunn each scored 22 points as the Chicago Bulls rallied from a nine-point, fourth-quarter deficit for their sixth straight win, 117-115 over the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday.

Chicago (9-20) also got 20 points from Justin Holiday, 12 from Bobby Portis and 10 apiece from Denzel Valentine and Lauri Markkanen. Mirotic grabbed 13 rebounds, and Portis pulled down 10.

Dario Saric led Philadelphia (14-15) with 27 points, Ben Simmons scored 19 and Richaun Holmes added 14. J.J. Redick scored 12 points for the 76ers, who also got 11 from T.J. McConnell and 10 apiece from Robert Covington and Jerryd Bayless. Simmons also contributed 11 rebounds and nine assists.

The 76ers used a 13-2 run to build a 107-99 lead with under four minutes to play. Chicago, which connected on 13 3-point field goals in the victory, rebounded and took a 110-107 lead on a Mirotic 3-point play with 2:08 remaining.

A pair of Dunn jumpers extended the lead to 114-109 with 1:05 remaining before the 76ers got to within 117-115 on a Saric 3-pointer with 39 seconds remaining. But the 76ers -- who have lost five of their lost six games -- couldn't get any closer as the Bulls extended their win streak.

The Bulls led by as many as 12 points in the third quarter. The 76ers got within 80-77 on a Covington steal and breakaway layup. Philadelphia tied the game at 82 before taking the lead on a McConnell basket with 2:32 remaining.

Chicago led 67-59 at the half.

NOTES: Philadelphia C Joel Embiid did not play Monday, continuing the habit of not playing in back-to-back games. Embiid's availability for the Tuesday game against Sacramento had not been determined. Embiid has yet to play against Chicago in his career. Amir Johnson started for Embiid and scored four points. ... Philadelphia F/C Trevor Booker did not play after spraining his left ankle Friday during the third quarter of a triple-overtime loss to Oklahoma City. Booker will also be sidelined Tuesday and is expected to be re-evaluated later this week. ... Bulls F Lauri Markkanen returned after missing three consecutive games due to back spasms. Markkanen was not on a minutes restriction, but coach Fred Hoiberg said he would be "very careful" with Markkanen. ... F Nikola Mirotic, who had been starting in Markkanen's place, returned to his reserve role.