Ben Simmons hit a pair of free throws with 5.6 seconds remaining, and he finished with 32 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds to send the visiting Philadelphia 76ers past the Chicago Bulls 116-115 on Thursday night at United Center.

The point total was a career high for Simmons, helping Philadelphia extend its winning streak to a season-best six games.

Chicago led by one after a pair of JJ Redick free throws with eight seconds left, but Philadelphia's Joel Embiid (30 points, 13 rebounds) came up with a steal and the Bulls' Denzel Valentine committed a foul on Simmons.

After Simmons' foul shots, Chicago's Bobby Portis missed a potential game-winning jumper with 0.1 ticks remaining.

Portis had a career-high 38 points and eight boards, making 15 of 26 shots -- including 6 of 9 3-point attempts -- to eclipse his previous high of 27 points set Dec. 15 at Milwaukee. Zach LaVine scored 23 points, and David Nwaba added 21 points and nine boards for the Bulls.

Chicago lost for the fifth time in seven games.

Simmons also recorded a first-half block, joining Michael Jordan and Ron Harper as only the third player since the 1963-64 season to record 100 steals and 50 blocks through their first 55 games.

Portis extended his career-best streak of games with double-digit scoring to seven.

The Bulls led 69-67 at halftime after falling into an early 18-point hole before rallying to post a season high for first-half points.

The 76ers led 93-91 after three quarters and were up 104-103 after an Amir Johnson free throw with 7:52 to play, but Chicago used a 12-6 run to go up 115-110 heading into the final minute.

Bulls center Robin Lopez, who had started the first 57 games of the season, was inactive for the contest. Justin Holliday was also inactive for Chicago as coach Fred Hoiberg reshuffled the lineup, with Nwaba and Cristiano Felicio (five points) starting.

"I want to be playing, obviously, but we have a great group of guys," Lopez told reporters prior to tip-off. "Our squad has a great future, and I can be a part of that future."

The 76ers won two of their three games against the Bulls this season.

Chicago plays at Minnesota on Saturday. Philadelphia hosts Orlando on Saturday.

--Field Level Media