Sixers Handle Bulls Easily

If there were any doubters about the Sixers before this game, they can start believing now. In front of a jammed packed and rocking Wells Fargo Center, the Philadelphia 76ers knocked off the best team in the Eastern Conference by a final score of 98-82. The Sixers and Bulls played a very even first half that saw the Sixers take a five point lead into the break, but after half time it was a whole new ball game. The Sixers outscored the Bulls 26-11 in the third quarter holding the Bulls to their lowest point total in a quarter all season. The fourth quarter started with the Sixers up 20 points on the best team in the conference and it got so bad that the starters were pulled early in the quarter and bench legend Brian Scalabrine was brought in with eight minutes left in the game.

The Sixers got great play from almost everyone on their roster. Tonight's game was Jrue Holiday's best of the year as he ended up with 17 points (8-15 shooting), 5 assists, and 4 rebounds. It was also rookie Lavoy Allen's best game of the year as he quietly had 15 points off the bench. Although those two played great games, the best player on the court tonight was Andre Iguodala who had 19 points and 9 rebounds. His defense was spectacular all night and was the spark for the Sixers huge third quarter. The Bulls were led by backup point guard C.J. Watson who had 20 points, many of which came in garbage time. Derrick Rose also poured in 18 for the Bulls in a losing effort.

Game Notes:

The third quarter the Sixers played tonight was the best quarter they've played all season. Not only did they score 26 points against one of the best defenses in the league, but they also held the Chicago Bulls to 11 points. Iguodala was the catalyst in the quarter and did it all for the Sixers both offensively and defensively.

It seems as if Lavoy Allen has somewhat replaced Nikola Vucevic as the big man off the bench. Vucevic who is apparently fine to play now was a healthy scratch for the second straight game. Allen is making a serious impact when he is getting into the game and is really making the Sixers look smart for taking him late in the second round. He had 15 points (7-10 from the field) in just a 26 minute run. In my mind the best thing to do for the Sixers would be to play both Allen and Vucevic and not just stick to one. They both have shown potential this season and have looked good whenever they have gotten in the game. Even if it is just for 10 minutes a game when Hawes comes back, getting both these guys action will be key to their improvement as NBA players.

The Sixers defense continues to impress as they held the Bulls to 43 % from the field and forced 17 turnovers. The team had a total of 10 steals on the game, many of which came in the third quarter. The most notable one of the game was when Jrue Holiday picked the pocket of Derrick Rose in the middle of the third quarter and took it coast to coast slamming it home and igniting the Wells Fargo Center.

This was the best win of the season as the Sixers knocked off the best team in the Eastern Conference and did it in fashion. However it doesn't get any easier as the Big Three and the Miami Heat come into town on Friday and will play in front of what almost definitely will be a sold out crowd. The Sixers have already played the Heat this year down in Miami and got ran out of the building losing by a final of 113-92. With the Heat's loss to the Bucks tonight and the Sixers victory over the Bulls, the Sixers jumped to second in the Eastern Conference just a game behind the Bulls.

Player of the Game: Andre Iguodala

Record: 16-6 (2nd in Eastern Conference)

Up Next: vs. Miami Heat, Friday 7 p.m.