Embiid Has Monster Game in Return, Sixers Use Big First Quarter to Beat Bulls

The Philadelphia 76ers started off on the right note in 2024. A huge first quarter propelled them to a decisive win over the Chicago Bulls defeating them 110-97.

They matched their season high in first-quarter points with 43 and had the largest first-quarter point differential in the NBA this year at +25. The Sixers were 7 for their first 8 from three-point range which allowed them to control the pace of the entire game and gave them the chance to give primary players a rest later in the game.

Joel Embiid did not miss a step in his return. He recorded his 15th straight game of 30+ points and 10+ rebounds. His final stat line was 31 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists, giving him his 6th career triple-double of his career and he once again sat in the fourth quarter. After dropping the last two against the Chicago Bulls, Joel Embiid led the charge to avoid the season sweep. Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris both exceeded 20 points giving the Big Three 71 points combined out of the 110 scored. Despite scoring 12 points in the entire fourth quarter and only 37 in the second half, the Sixers looked too much for the Bulls and picked up their first win of the New Year.

Embiid has extended both franchise records with 15 straight 30-point games and 14 straight with 30 points and 10 rebounds. The 15-game streak is the longest in the NBA since James Harden in 2018-19 and the 14-game streak is the longest since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1971-72.

The Sixers move to 23-10 on the season. Their next contest is against the Knicks this Friday at 7 PM at the Wells Fargo Center.