The Sixer Sense
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Four Takeaways From the Chicago Bulls Game

By Kevin Kolodziej

Nov 25, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Nik Stauskas (11) dribbles against Chicago Bulls guard Dwyane Wade (3) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Chicago Bulls won 105-89. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Nik Stauskas (11) dribbles against Chicago Bulls guard Dwyane Wade (3) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Chicago Bulls won 105-89. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 19, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) in action against the Phoenix Suns during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 120-105. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) in action against the Phoenix Suns during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 120-105. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

2 – The Sixers are a Different Team Without Embiid

This isn’t exactly hard-hitting analysis, but the Sixers are a completely different team without Joel Embiid on the floor.

He’s played just 11 NBA games, but Embiid is unquestionably the Philadelphia 76ers’ best player. After missing his first two NBA seasons with foot injuries, he’s going to be rested from time to time in an attempt to prevent re-injury. This was the case during Friday night’s contest, and it was the fifth game this season Embiid sat out in order to rest.

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On both ends of the floor, he was missed.

Offensively, the Sixers didn’t really have a go-to guy. Defensively, they allowed the Bulls score 40 points in the paint to go along with 15 second-chance points.

Embiid leads Philly in rebounds (7.6), defensive rebounds (5.9) and blocked shots (2.4) per game, and it’s hard to imagine the Bulls would have had that much success around the basket had Embiid been active.

Taking Embiid’s starting spot was second-year big-man Jahlil Okafor, who played a team-high 26 minutes and scored just 10 points (sixth highest total on the team). Okafor had the Sixers’ second-highest rebound total on the night with six, behind Ersan Ilyasova and Dario Saric (who each grabbed seven).

It’s still unclear whether Embiid will be active Sunday at home against the Cleveland Cavaliers or Monday on the road against the Toronto Raptors, but it’s safe to say the Sixers will be happy to have him back on the floor in whichever game he plays.