Playing the fastest tempo in the league hasn’t exactly yielded the result Chicago Bulls fans were hoping it would. But then again, it has given a chance to rookie Caleb Wilson to show the world he is one of the leading candidates for ROY honors less than two weeks into the season. The Bulls defense got absolutely destroyed for the fourth game in a row, allowing 125 points in a double-digit loss to Boston. I have no doubt they’ll look to run against Philadelphia as well, and getting hot from three-point land is their only hope of hanging around in this game.
Philadelphia’s 6-1 start to the season has looked impressive. They’ve won games in clutch and they’ve come back from several double-digit deficits late, and we are seeing this team gel a lot quicker than anticipated. The chemistry has been amazing between the two new big names and the rest of the roster. It has brought the best out of Tyrese Maxey, who is playing a free-flowing attacking game every single night. Even though Joel Embiid and LeBron James have taken turns sitting games out, it hasn’t really affected the team in a negative way so far. Embiid is questionable to play with a foot injury here and maybe it isn’t the worst idea in the world if he sat out against a team that plays at such a fast pace.
Most of Philadelphia’s wins were because of their defense so far this season. Believe it or not this team ranks only 23rd in points per game and is in the bottom 10 in efficiency from the field and three-point land. Most of those numbers should go up against a poor defensive team like Chicago, but I still think the Sixers will look to rely on their ability to get stops to get the win here. Running with the young Bulls wouldn’t be the smartest of ideas in my opinion. I’ll back the under here.
Bulls vs 76ers prediction: Under 238.5 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable to 238 (-110).
