76ers Highlights: Maxey, Harris Fail to Lift Team Above Bulls

The Sixers' duo fails to lift them above the Bulls.

On Saturday night, the Philadelphia 76ers wrapped up their four game road trip with a visit to the United Airlines Center, where they took on the Chicago Bulls.

In their last match against the Bulls, the Sixers struggled to match the energy put out by Colby White, who scored a team-high 24 points, with Nikola Vucevic following suit with 23 of his own.

In the first quarter of Saturday night's affair, White made it apparent that he hadn't lost his tempo in the two weeks since the last match, as he scored five points in the first half, while proving to be a presence in the paint, recording five rebounds throughout the opening two quarters.

While the Bulls' star was going off, the Sixers managed to keep themselves in the race, only managing to fall behind Chicago by eight points at halftime, 48-56.

The second half would provide fans with the same brand of tense basketball that the first two quarters would provide, with the two sides being separated by nine points at the end of the third, and 13 by the end of the game, as they fell 92-105.

This isn't to say that the Sixers didn't have any notable plays of their own, as Tyrese Maxey managed to put on his usual offensive showing, dropping 20 points on 36-percent shooting.

layup w the left. pic.twitter.com/lBjIfKtniI

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) December 31, 2023

While the 23-year-old found a plethora of ways to the basket against Houston on Friday night, he was rather straight forward with his drives against Chicago, slashing his way through the paint, while finding two shots from beyond the arch.

As Maxey flourished, De'Anthony Melton wouldn't hit the above average scoring numbers that he has been able to ask of late, the 25-year-old managed to be a pain from down town, as he recorded three shots from deep.

M3️⃣LT. pic.twitter.com/feB2zIgCT6

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) December 31, 2023

While he didn't have a career night in terms of scoring, Melton would be able to show off his defensive acumen, as he was able to pick the ball four times from Bulls players.

Once again Tobias Harris continued to provide the scoring that is left out as Joel Embiid remains sidelined, putting up 15 points on 37 percent shooting, while dishing out seven assists, tied for the most on the team with Maxey.

This continues Harris' recent offensive upswing, as the veteran forward was averaging 26 points on 51 percent shooting going over his previous four games going into Saturday night's match. 

One notable highlight against Chicago was the return of Nicolas Batum, who has sat out of Philadelphia's previous five matches with an injury to his hamstring.

missed this. pic.twitter.com/EPf7lJJLZU

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) December 31, 2023

In his return, Batum provided the Sixers' with energy off the bench, draining three shots from down town en route to a nine point night, while also recording three rebounds.

Elsewhere on the team, Paul Reed put up 11 points with seven rebounds, and Kelly Oubre Jr would drop 11 points despite going cold from beyond the arch.

Following their loss in Chicago, the Sixers will travel home where they are set to play the Bulls on Tuesday night in the second leg of a back-to-back match.