NBA (National Basketball Association) special: Philadelphia 76ers smash Chicago Bulls 105-99
The Philadelphia 76ers were looking for a quick start and a better defensive play against Chicago Bulls, on Friday night. What they got was perhaps the season's most complete effort in a 105-99 rout.
Philadelphia’s coach Doug Collins said, "When you get beat by a team by 45 and you come back and are able to win that game, it's a h**l of a win."
A cluster of 15,303 basketball fans at Wells Fargo Centre witnessed the home teams’ fifteenth victory, of the season.
The Daredevils of the game
Jodie Meeks paved the way for Philadelphia with 24 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists. Lou Williams who looked rejuvenated with 76ers, finished with 20 points. Jrue Holiday added 19 for the 76ers, who hung on for their second straight home win and the 10th
of the season. Doug Collins commented on Williams' effort. He expressed, "When Lou is playing well, it makes us a totally different team.”
Carlos Boozer led the Bulls with a game-high 31 points and 13 rebounds. Point guard Derrick Rose had 27 points and nine assists for Chicago, who lost the second straight on the road. Luol Deng registered 22 points in the season’s twelfth defeat of the Bulls.
How Philadelphia walked away with victory
The game showed Meeks and Williams doing work off the bench against the visiting team. As a result Philadelphia put together one of their most impressive performances this season with a 6-point victory over the Central Division, leading Chicago Bulls.
Chicago put up a fight in the first quarter, playing with tenacity around the court and limiting the turnovers. The first quarter saw Deng punish the Sixers with his Jump Shot and free throws. Bulls shot 66 per cent from the field in the first quarter, as
they carved out an impressive 30-point frame.
Chicago and Philadelphia played the game at a crisp pace, using 26 possessions apiece in the second quarter. The third quarter saw Holiday and Meeks putting efforts to bring the Sixers back into the game. Holiday was able to make a few jumpers in 1/4 pick
and rolls, while Meeks scored in a variety of ways. He materialised a jumper in a 2/4 pick, a three in a catch-and-shoot from Elton Brand’s kick-out and another three-pointer in transition from a feed by Hawes. The Sixers fantastically trimmed the deficit
by the end of the third stanza, taking an 86-74 lead into the final stanza. The primary reason the 76ers pulled the third stanza out and at such a significant margin, was the shooting.
In the final stanza, Meeks busted out of a big slump with consecutive 3-pointers, the second off Holiday's steal, that built it to 82-70. The Sixers made their way to success without being bothered by a lately held flurry by Derrick Rose.
Climax of the game
Leading 76-70, Meeks hit consecutive 3-pointers to push the Sixers advantage to 12 at 82-70 with 1:51 remaining in the third quarter.
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