Player grades: Joel Embiid dominates as Sixers knock off Bulls at home

PHILADELPHIA–The Philadelphia 76ers returned home on Monday looking to bounce back from a tough loss in Miami to the Heat on Saturday. Their opponent was a team they had been dominating all season in the form of the Chicago Bulls and the Sixers were looking to earn the season sweep.

The Bulls gave them a battle led by DeMar DeRozan, but Philadelphia eventually was able to hold off Chicago 121-106. Joel Embiid had a big night as he scored 43 points on 15-for-27 shooting and he also pulled down 14 rebounds while James Harden added 16 points, 14 assists, and eight rebounds.

Matisse Thybulle added 12 points, Georges Niang had 14 off the bench, Tyrese Maxey had 17, and Tobias Harris added eight. DeAndre Jordan also made his debut for the Sixers and had two points, two assists, and three rebounds.

Here are the player grades following the win:

Tyrese Maxey: C-

Maxey had a bit of an off night to start as the Bulls geared some extra attention towards him. He was facing waves of defenders and he had a tough time getting off any looks. The physical play seemed to also throw off his rhythm a bit as he even missed a driving layup after a nice move to shake free. To his credit, he was solid on the defensive end, and he was moving well off the ball to create space

James Harden: A

It was definitely helpful to have Harden back out on the floor as he was able to get to the basket and draw some fouls on the Bulls in the early going. He then created two open triples for Niang just because of the attention he receives before he created some offense of his own. There is so much that Harden can do out on the floor and it makes the Sixers a dangerous team.

Matisse Thybulle: A

The Sixers had Thybulle in the pick-and-roll with Harden in the first quarter and that allowed him to get to the basket as the defense shifted their focus on The Beard. If Thybulle is not able to get easy baskets with his cutting off the ball or if he can’t knock down 3-pointers, then that might be the easiest way to get him involved on offense in the future. Also, his minutes should be matched up with Harden’s as he is such an efficient creator that it helps Thybulle on the offensive end. He also played pretty solid defense on Zach LaVine when matched up with him.

Tobias Harris: D+

It might be time to consider Harris as the fourth option on this team, if some haven’t already. He seems to have understood this role and he will still be a big part of what the Sixers want to do, but it’s obvious that Maxey has passed him in the pecking order. Philadelphia will have to keep him involved, but he will just get his offense within the flow of the team. That’s what he did in this one. He also did look a bit frustrated that his shot is still not falling and he gave up some offensive rebounds. Just an overall tough night for him other than a frustration And-1 slam in the third quarter through contact.

Joel Embiid: A+

The big fella had a drive in the first quarter that he got fouled on, but he also appeared to hurt himself on the drive as well as he was limping around a bit before going to the line. After that, he looked locked in as he seemed to want to make a point to Chicago that he can’t be deterred. He went after Tristan Thompson and Tony Bradley over and over again as it was just too easy for him. The two-man game between him and Harden continues to be something to behold.

Georges Niang: A

The man has one job on the offensive end and that’s to launch open 3-pointers. Playing next to Harden, he is able to get open looks from beyond the arc and he did a good job of taking advantage of them. He understands his role to a T and it gets amplified playing with Harden. The only issue continues to be on the defensive end with him and he will have to work that out going forward.

Shake Milton: B+

It appears that Milton has taken Furkan Korkmaz’s minutes and he took advantage in the early going when he got a triple to fall and he was solid and physical on the defensive end as well. He played within himself and he didn’t try to do too much out on the floor.

Danny Green: B

Thanks to a Jordan rebound, Green was able to get himself an open triple and he knocked it down in the middle of a big swing for the Sixers. He did end up leaving the game with a middle finger laceration.

DeAndre Jordan: B+

The veteran made his debut in the first quarter and the minutes were solid. He rolled hard to the basket and he had an opportunity for a one-handed slam off a Harden lob, but he just missed it off the rim. He was good on the glass and he was helpful on the defensive end well. His presence was good out there.

Isaiah Joe: C

Joe got some burn over Korkmaz as well and his minutes weren’t terrible. He did not play a lot and he was limited on the offensive end, but his minutes on defense were good against the Chicago perimeter players.

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