Skip to content
Sixers
Link copied to clipboard

Matisse Thybulle’s two-way domination, Tony Bradley’s perfect shooting | Sixers-Bulls best/worst

Thybulle had the most dominant all-around performance. The second-year Sixer, starting at shooting guard, finished with a season-high 13 points and a career-high-tying five steals.

The 76ers' Tony Bradley (11) and Chicago Bulls' Otto Porter Jr. battle for the ball.
The 76ers' Tony Bradley (11) and Chicago Bulls' Otto Porter Jr. battle for the ball.Read moreJonathan Daniel / MCT

CHICAGO — Now, that was an impressive victory.

Under the circumstances, the 76ers’ 127-105 win over the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night at the United Center was arguably their biggest of the season. All-Stars Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid missed the game because of contact tracing after coming in contact with a barber who tested positive for COVID-19.

But to say they weren’t missed would be an understatement. Here’s a look at the best and worst awards from the game:

» READ MORE: Sixers have some intriguing potential targets on the NBA trade market | David Murphy

Best performance

Matisse Thybulle gets this. It was tough picking this award. That’s because Tobias Harris scored 24 points in 25 minutes, Dwight Howard had 18 points and 12 rebounds, and Tony Bradley made all seven of his shots in finishing with season highs of 14 points and three blocks. But Thybulle had the most dominant all-around performance. The second-year Sixer, who started at shooting guard, finished with a season-high 13 points and a career-high-tying five steals. Thybulle made all five of his shots, including making a season-high three three-pointers. He drained all three three-pointers in the decisive third quarter, when he scored 11 of his points.

Worst performance

Otto Porter Jr. gets this. Let’s just say the Bulls forward was rusty after missing the last 15 games to rehab back spasms. Porter missed 5 of 6 shots en route to finishing with three points. He also had two turnovers and was a minus-12 in 17 minutes, 40 seconds of action.

Best defensive performance

Thybulle gets this, too. He made things difficult for everyone he guarded, including All-Star Zach LaVine.

Worst statistic

This goes to the Bulls’ turnovers. They turned the ball over 19 times.

» READ MORE: No Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, no problem: Undermanned Sixers roll over Bulls

Best statistic

This goes to Bradley and Howard’s combining for 32 points, 17 rebounds and five blocks in Embiid’s absence.

Best of the best

This goes to the Sixers’ posting a 22-point victory without Simmons and Embiid. The team had a knack for struggling when at least one of the standouts doesn’t play. But this night should serve as a huge confidence boost for the Sixers.