Player grades: Joel Embiid returns, leads Sixers to road win over Bulls
The Philadelphia 76ers continued the road trip on Saturday when they paid a visit to the United Center to take on the Chicago Bulls looking to build off a win in Toronto. The Sixers were able to earn a gritty win and now they needed to just grow off the effort.
The Sixers welcomed Joel Embiid back into the lineup after missing Friday’s win while recovering from a right knee injury and he led Philadelphia in this one with 25 points and seven rebounds with four assists. Due to his contributions, the Sixers were able to come away with a 114-109 win over the pesky Bulls.
Tobias Harris added 13 points and five rebounds, Tyrese Maxey had 14 and five rebounds, James Harden had 15 points on 2-for-13 shooting, but 11-for-11 from the line, 11 assists, and six rebounds, and PJ Tucker had eight and five boards. De’Anthony Melton added 10 off the bench and Georges Niang had 15 huge points.
Here are the player grades following the win:
James Harden: B
The Beard wasn’t very efficient with his shot in this one, but the playmaking was impressive. He and Embiid hooked up for a few nice plays early in the pick-and-roll offense and the passes he made for Philadelphia’s 3-point shooters were on point in terms of getting them open looks. With that being said, it would have been helpful for Philadelphia if Harden could have gotten some more looks to drop. It would’ve been helpful in a tough second half for the team. At least he was knocking down free throws.
Tyrese Maxey: B
Maxey was hampered by foul trouble early as he picked up three fouls in the first half and he was not able to make an impact as he did on Friday, but he did knock down a triple in the first quarter to contribute. With the Sixers beginning to wilt in the third quarter, Maxey knocked down some tough shots to keep Philadelphia afloat and give them a chance in this one.
Tobias Harris: A-
Once again, Harris just continues to make winning plays. He had a few hustle plays in this one that won’t show up in the box score and he continues to be the ultimate team player. He also was efficient with his 3-point shooting which is always a big help for this offense. He had a couple of big buckets before halftime when the Bulls made a run as well. Add in his solid defensive work and this was a good night for the veteran out of Tennessee despite not getting much of a chance on offense in the second half. He was so efficient in this one. He has to get more shots on offense.
PJ Tucker: B+
The veteran made an impact early. He freed up Maxey for a 3-pointer early, then he stripped Bulls star Nikola Vucevic for a steal, and then he made himself available for a layup. He later knocked down a corner triple as Philadelphia was able to have success on offense early. He buried a big corner triple late in the first half to stem the tide a bit when Chicago made a big push. However, he picked up three offensive fouls in the third quarter that hurt any momentum the Sixers built up.
Joel Embiid: A-
In his return from having a game off, the big fella looked like he was A-OK. He victimized the Bulls in the paint and he made it look easy with his pump faking and his footwork as Vucevic didn’t have much of a chance against him. He was knocking down his jumper and he did a good job of setting the tone on offense. He does get points off for his defensive effort as Vucevic was knocking down wide-open triples as a catalyst for Chicago’s offense. He also missed two critical free throws late that almost cost them, but he more than made up for it when he drilled the go-ahead triple.
De'Anthony Melton: A
This has been an impressive start to the season for Melton. He has been great on the defensive end, he has been a reliable option from the outside, and he has been another option to handle the ball on the offensive end. He was very good in this one from an individual standpoint.
Georges Niang: A+
The Minivan knocked down his first triple to start his night and he moved his feet well on the defensive end. He made a huge triple in the third to give the Sixers a push heading into the fourth before making so many big shots in the final quarter. His contributions were huge for Philadelphia in this one.
Montrezl Harrell: A
The veteran made some nice plays on defense and he made some hustle plays that were essential. He also had a big play to end the third quarter when he grabbed an offensive rebound and then found Melton for a floater to allow the Sixers some cushion going into the fourth. He then drew a big charge as he was a big key off the bench.
Matisse Thybulle: B-
It looks like Thybulle is back in the rotation as he was the first player off the bench in this one. He had a steal in the first quarter and he bothered Chicago star DeMar DeRozan into some tough looks. He got into some foul trouble, but he did make a nice cut to the basket for a layup on offense.
Shake Milton: A
The veteran out of SMU got some early run and he provided some offense for the bench unit. Milton is a reliable scorer for the Sixers when he is healthy and right and he has looked good in his limited minutes to begin the season. It was surprising to not see him get more playing time on Saturday.
Danuel House Jr.: C-
It appeared initially that House Jr. might’ve been pushed out of the rotation with coach Doc Rivers going to Thybulle early, but House Jr. got his chance and he contributed in this one. He knocked down a tough triple where he threw a pump fake and then sidestepped for an open look. However, it was a tough night on the defensive end for him.
