3 storylines as 76ers without 2 starters matchup with red-hot Bulls

The 76ers are looking to seal the deal on a 4-0 homestand Wednesday night, but have to deal with the top seed in the East in the Chicago Bulls.

#76ers unveil their brand new Spectrum-inspired uniforms Wednesday night, but they deal with a tough cookie in the #Bulls. pic.twitter.com/f6nQjvin2V
— Philly Sports Reports (@PhlySprtsReprts) November 3, 2021

Here’s three storylines to watch:

Sixers down Harris and Green

The Sixers will again not be fully stocked for the team’s game Wednesday night.

Tobias Harris (health and safety protocols), Danny Green (left hamstring tightness), and Ben Simmons (personal reasons) are out.

Joel Embiid is expected to play after resting for Monday’s win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

For Chicago, Patrick Williams, and Coby White are out with long-term injuries.

According to Sixers head coach Doc Rivers, the team learned Harris was scratched about 40 minutes before Monday’s win. The coaching staff then conferred and inserted Furkan Korkmaz into the starting lineup. Regardless of who starts against the Bulls, Georges Niang, Korkmaz, and Matisse Thybulle appear set to take on substantial minutes.

The Sixers are not sure when Harris will be cleared. Rivers, who hadn’t yet spoken with Harris when he talked with reporters after Monday’s game, will likely have more information on the 29-year-old’s status Wednesday.

Thybulle on LaVine

Thybulle guarded Zach LaVine more than any other player last season, per the NBA’s tracking data. He was incredible in two matchups against former high school opponent.

LaVine, a first-time All-Star last season, shot 4-for-18 when defended by Thybulle and committed five turnovers.

Seven games into the season, Thybulle is again posting outlier defensive statistics. Per Cleaning the Glass, his 4.5 steal percentage and 3.3 block percentage are both first among all NBA wings by a wide margin. He led all wings in those categories last year as well.

Need a big game from Embiid

Last time he played the Bulls at Wells Fargo Center, Embiid scored a career-high 50 points. We need that Wednesday night from Embiid.

Chicago’s roster has been changed since that February night. The Bulls picked up Nikola Vucevic at last season’s trade deadline, acquired DeMar DeRozan and Lonzo Ball this offseason, and are off to an impressive start.

In addition to Vucevic, another former Sixer might see some time on Embiid. Tony Bradley, who the Sixers dealt away in their trade for George Hill, has been backing up Vucevic.