With perhaps their best chance at a win until the Celtics game in the coming weeks, the Sixers (0-5) fell victim to the buzzer beater in their matchup on Wednesday night at home against the Orlando Magic. Tony Wroten had another solid game, despite turning the ball over nine times and Brandon Davies had himself a career night as well. Tonight, the Sixers welcome in Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah and the Chicago Bulls (4-1), a tall task for a Philadelphia team who will be without their rookie big man. Coverage beins at 7PM on Comcast Sportsnet.
In the third quarter of Wednesday's 91-89 loss, rookie forward/center Nerlens Noel left the game after spraining his left ankle. Yesterday, he attempted to participate in practice with the team, but instead was limited to the stationary bike. His inability to practice yesterday made Brett Brown's decision easy today, opting to rest Noel against the Bulls. Nerlens had a challenging game on Wednesday after being given the task of guarding former Sixer, Nik Vucevic. Noel finished with just four points, two rebounds, three assists and a block. Meanwhile, Tony Wroten had himself another good night, scoring a game-high 27 points to go along with eight assists, five steals, two blocks and three rebounds. The Sixers guard was responsible for nine of the team's 20 turnovers. Brandon Davies scored a career-high 20 points against Orlando, shooting 9-for-11 while also contributing with four rebounds, an assist and a steal. KJ McDaniels also had an impressive game, tallying 12 points, three blocks and two rebounds in 29 minutes off the bench.
The Bulls are off to a good start to the season, getting wins against the Knicks, T'Wolves, Magic and Bucks while taking their lone loss against the Cavs, 114-108 in overtime on Halloween. Star players Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah have undergone some early season injuries, so it remains to be seen how much time each of them get tonight. Chicago's most recent win came against the Bucks, 95-86, on Wednesday Night. The Bulls trailed the Bucks, 53-49 at the half, but outscored Milwaukee 46-33 in the final two quarters to secure their fourth victory of the year. Former Laker, Pau Gasol, scored 22 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. Power forward Taj Gibson had a double-double of his own, scoring 23 to go along with 10 rebounds.
Update (5:45) Derrick Rose will rest for Chicago tonight with sprained ankles. He has played one game since sustaining the injuries to each leg last Friday. Rose played 31 minutes against the Bucks on Wednesday.
Game Notes:
- With Noel out, Henry Sims takes the starting center spot he occupied for the first three games. He's averaging 6.2 points and 5.6 rebounds in just under 23 minutes per game.
- In four meetings last year between the teams, the Bulls took three of them. After a 107-104 win over the Bulls last November the Sixers dropped the next three to Chicago by scores of 103-78, 102-94 and 91-81.
- In 14 games played against the Sixers, Derrick Rose is averaging 22 points and 6.8 assists. Joakim Noah is averaging just under a double-double with 10.9 points and 9.3 rebounds.
- The Sixers currently have the worst rebounding differential in the NBA with a -9.6. The Bulls are seventh in the NBA this season when it comes to defensive rebounding with 34 per game.
- If the Sixers lose tonight, it will be their first 0-6 start since the 1972-73 season. They went on to win just nine games that year.
Lineups:
Sixers
PG Tony Wroten
SG Hollis Thompson
SF JaKarr Sampson
PF Luc Mbah a Moute
C Henry Sims
Bulls
PG Kirk Hinrich
SG Jimmy Butler
SF Mike Dunleavy
PF Taj Gibson
C Pau Gasol
Injuries: Sixers: Nerlens Noel (ankle), Michael Carter-Williams (shoulder), Joel Embiid (foot), Jerami Grant (ankle), Malcolm Thomas (knee) and Jason Richardson (foot) are all out. Bulls: Joakim Noah (flu) will play. Derrick Rose (ankles) is out.
Prediction: With Nerlens Noel nursing an ankle injury, I expect the Bulls tandem of Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson to overwhelm the Sixers on the boards. Chicago takes this one easily, 111-92.
Brandon Apter is a writer for Sixerdelphia.com
