CHICAGO (AP) — Jalen Smith’s thunderous dunk over Joel Embiid sparked a game-ending climax and the Chicago Bulls beat the Philadelphia 76ers 109-102 on Friday night for a season-high five straight wins.
The Bulls scored the final 10 points of the game with Smith’s breakthrough dunk. Tre Jones and Zach Collins each scored 15 points, and Coby White scored 13 points to help the Bulls tie their best winning streak since a 5-0 start. They also tied their record at 15-15.
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Embiid scored 31 points for Philadelphia. Tyrese Maxey scored 27 points and hit five three-pointers. Paul George shook off a slow start and finished with 15 points and a season-high 12 rebounds, but the Sixers lost for the fourth time this season with all three of their stars in the lineup.
With 2:45 left in the game, the 76ers led 102-99 after Embiid counterattacked, but that was all they scored. Smith then broke through the baseline and dunked on a rotating Embiid with about 2:30 left in the game, bringing the crowd to its feet.
White then stepped back and hit a three-pointer, drawing more roars, and Jones hit a reverse layup. After Maxey’s drive was blocked by Nikola Vucevic, Jones found a loose ball and drained it with 47 seconds left. He made a free throw with 17 seconds left in the game.
Embiid, who missed 15 games with right knee soreness, scored 16 points to help the aloof Sixers lead 52-49 at halftime.
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Philadelphia made 3 of 15 3-pointers in the first two quarters and 19 of 50 from 3-point range. Even so, the 76ers went from a 13-2 lead early in the second quarter to an 11-point deficit and returned to the locker room with a three-point advantage.
Next
76ers: Visit Oklahoma City on Sunday.
Bulls: Host Milwaukee on Saturday.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
