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.
Simmons has gotten back in the groove quite quickly this new NBA season. Credit:AP
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.
Reuters
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