Two teams that could do with a victory will go head-to-head at the Wells Fargo Center on Tuesday as the Philadelphia 76ers lock horns against the Chicago Bulls.
The home side have lost seven matches on the bounce leading up to this one, while their visitors make the journey to Pennsylvania on a six-game losing streak.
Match preview
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Much was expected of the Philadelphia 76ers after they acquired Paul George during the off-season, but as the campaign heads into its final knockings, it is safe to say the move for the 34-year-old has not had the desired effect so far.
Like Joel Embiid, George has also endured an injury-hit campaign, and while both men have been available over the last couple of matches, their contributions have barely had an impact on Nick Nurse's side.
A run of five straight defeats before the international break was extended by a 124-104 defeat against the Boston Celtics on Friday, two days before the 76ers suffered a heart-breaking 105-103 loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday.
With the game level heading into the final possession, the 76ers were punished for their passiveness on the glass as Nic Claxton rose highest to follow up Keon Johnson's missed shot and grab the winner at the buzzer.
Now 20-36 over 56 games, the 76ers have already lost more matches than the entirety of last season (35), highlighting their fall from grace, although they remain in contention for a play-in spot in the Eastern Conference.
Just above them in the standings are the Chicago Bulls, and Tuesday's clash could hold significant ramifications with regards to the sides' respective playoff ambitions come the end of the regular season.
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Led by the legendary Michael Jordan, the Chicago Bulls were the undisputed powerhouse of the NBA in the 1990s, but fast-forward three decades later, and they have been reduced to a side often on the periphery of playoff contention.
Having lost DeMar DeRozan and then Zach LaVine at either end of the trade window, Billy Donovan's men were always going to be up against it, and their campaign to date has been underwhelming, to say the least.
Saturday's 121-117 loss to the Phoenix Suns came less than 24 hours after an agonising 113-111 overtime defeat to the New York Knicks as the Bulls saw their longest losing streak this term extended to six outings.
A major letdown for the Bulls so far has been their lack of defensive solidity, having given up the most points per game in the entire NBA (120.6), albeit with their offensive output currently ranking in the top 10.
Off the back of defeats in the most recent three editions of Tuesday's affair, the visitors will now set out to stop their barren run in this fixture and pick up a first victory against their hosts since December 2023.
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Team News
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Philadelphia 76ers' Kyle Lowry is sidelined with a hip problem and is expected to miss out here, while fellow veteran guard Eric Gordon continues to nurse a wrist injury.
The home side are also set to be without the service of Justin Edwards, who is, however, closing in on a comeback, but rookie Jared McCain is ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Twenty-four-year-old Jalen Smith could return to action here after missing the Bulls' most recent involvement against the Suns due to a concussion.
Ayo Dosunmu was also absent from the aforementioned game due to a shoulder problem, and his availability for Tuesday's clash continues to hang in the balance.
Patrick Williams will be re-evaluated over the next 10 days to gauge his readiness for resuming court activities, having been recently given platelet-rich plasma in his right knee.
Philadelphia 76ers possible starting five:
Maxey, Grimes; Oubre, George; Embiid
Chicago Bulls possible starting five:
White, Ball; Giddey, Buzelis; Vucevic
We say: 76ers to win by 5+ points
Tuesday's game is a chance for the teams to return to winning ways against fellow strugglers, and we expect both parties to be fully up for it.
That said, we are backing the home side to edge out their visitors and secure the win at the end of the 48 minutes of play.
Adepoju Marvellous
