National Basketball Association
Philadelphia 127, Chicago 108
When: 8:00 PM ET, Thursday, October 18, 2018
Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Officials: #26 Pat Fraher, #41 Ken Mauer, #3 Nick Buchert
Attendance: 20302

Ben Simmons had 13 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists to lead eight players in double figures as the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the short-handed visiting Chicago Bulls 127-108 on Thursday night.

Simmons had 12 triple-doubles last season and became the first player in franchise history to accomplish the feat in a home opener.

Joel Embiid scored 30 points and swept 12 rebounds for his second consecutive double-double this season. Embiid also had four blocked shots.

Robert Covington added 20 points, Dario Saric contributed 13 points and 10 rebounds and Amir Johnson had 13. Rookie Landry Shamet had 12 points and Markelle Fultz also had 12 for the Sixers, who responded after a season-opening 18-point loss Tuesday in Boston.

Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 30 points while Bobby Portis added 20 points and 11 rebounds. Jabari Parker and Antonio Blakeney chipped in with 15 points each.

The Bulls played their season opener without key injured players such as forward Lauri Markkanen, guards Denzel Valentine and Kris Dunn and center Omer Asik.

The Sixers led 65-58 at halftime thanks in large part to Embiid's 19 points and eight rebounds.

Portis, LaVine and Justin Holiday accounted for 43 of Chicago's 58 first-half points. Portis had 18 on 7-of-9 shooting.

Saric connected on an early three-point play to cap a 10-0 run and extend the Sixers' advantage to 77-61 slightly more than three minutes into the third quarter.

Saric followed with a 3-pointer from the top of the key for a 15-0 spurt and a 82-61 advantage. After another defensive stop, JJ Redick hit a jumper and the 17-0 run gave Philadelphia a 23-point lead at 84-61.

Simmons posted a triple-double before the third ended and the Sixers rolled to a 102-76 lead at the conclusion of the quarter.

The Sixers pulled ahead 105-78 but the Bulls didn't give up, scoring the next 10 points and forcing a timeout from Philadelphia head coach Brett Brown. It was enough of a cushion to propel the Sixers to their first win this season.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Chicago   Philadelphia
Zach LaVine 30 Scoring Joel Embiid 30
Ryan Arcidiacono 8 Assists Ben Simmons 11
Bobby Portis 11 Rebounds Ben Simmons 13
Zach LaVine 6 Free Throws Made Joel Embiid 12
Robin Lopez 1 Steals Robert Covington 2
Zach LaVine 3 Blocks Joel Embiid 4
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Chicago 108 43.6 11-33 9-12 28 39 6 4 12
Philadelphia 127 47.3 12-36 27-30 30 55 8 10 13
Upcoming Games
  • Philadelphia will play their next game at home against Orlando. The 76ers have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .500 after a loss.
  • Chicago will play their next game at home against Detroit. The Bulls have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .000 after a loss.