GRADES: Undermanned Sixers outlast Bulls 114-105

In a matchup between two of the Eastern Conference’s three top teams, the undermanned Sixers managed to outlast a Chicago Bulls team that’s opened the season on fire behind quality minutes from their role players and a vintage MVP-level night from Joel Embiid.

The Sixers looked lethargic in the early going, but a flurry of Furkan Korkmaz three-pointers gave them the lead after one quarter, and a dominant performance from Joel Embiid late in the first half gave Philadelphia a 57-47 lead headed into halftime.

For most of the second half, the Sixers clung to their lead and kept the Bulls at arm’s length. However, after an impressive run fueled by Derrick Jones Jr. hustle plays and some tough shot-making from star wings DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, the Sixers’ lead eroded late in the fourth quarter, and the teams drew even at 99 with about four minutes to play.

The teams traded buckets down the stretch, but the Sixers managed to kick their jump shooting into high gear and knock down some huge shots late. A late triple by Georges Niang gave the Sixers a commanding five-point lead, and Joel Embiid knocked down a late stepback jumper to close the door on Chicago’s comeback bid.

Joel Embiid led the way for Philadelphia with 30 points in 34 minutes, while the hot-handed Furkan Korkmaz added 25 points off the bench and knocked down seven of his nine three-point attempts. Zach LaVine paced the Bulls with 32 points.

Grades: Undermanned Sixers outlast Bulls 114-105

• Joel Embiid: A-

34 mins | 30 pts | 15 reb | 3 ast | 0 stl | 2 blk | 6 TO | 11-19 FG | 4-5 3PT| 4-7 FT | 1 PF | +16 |

Embiid made a terrible decision late in the second quarter, where he threw a frustration punch into the air after a no-call and nearly connected cleanly with Lonzo Ball’s head. Things turned out okay — Embiid received only a technical foul, and hugged it out with Ball as officials reviewed the incident — but had Lonzo Ball’s face been an inch higher and Embiid had hit him square, the big fella would be looking at a multi-game suspension. Inexcusable lapse of judgment by Joel.

With that one scary exception, Embiid played an excellent game on both ends of the floor. For the first time this season, he looked like the dominant scorer he was last year — his offensive highlight of the game was a pair of smooth dagger stepback threes. Embiid also posted up with some success, getting to the hoop instead of settling for mid-range jumpers. Defensive, he was active in the passing lanes and protected the rim well.

• Paul Reed: B

22 mins | 10 pts | 5 reb | 0 ast | 1 stl | 1 blk | 2 TO | 5-6 FG | 0-0 3PT| 0-0 FT | 4 PF | -14 |

Making his first career NBA start in Chicago, the home of Paul Reed’s alma mater DePaul University, the energetic power forward demonstrated why Sixers fans have been calling for his playing time to increase. Though he wasn’t a high-usage offensive player, Reed showcased his hustle, intensity, and defensive capabilities against the Bulls.

On the very first possession of the game, Reed poked Zach LaVine’s dribble loose from behind. Despite a challenging matchup with All-Star DeMar DeRozan, Reed held his own on that end of the floor, making things difficult for the star Chicago wing. Reed also contributed a few scores of his own off tip-ins, putbacks, and pick-and-roll passes. Reed is clearly still figuring out his role on both ends, but the big recorded an encouraging first start.

• Shake Milton: B+

36 mins | 13 pts | 7 reb | 6 ast | 2 stl | 1 blk | 0 TO | 4-10 FG | 0-2 3PT| 5-5 FT | 2 PF | +6 |

Slotting into the starting lineup in replacement of Danny Green, Shake Milton rose to the occasion when asked to play big minutes. While his shot wasn’t falling from beyond the arc, Shake did a great job getting to the basket and finishing strong through contact, something that’s been a challenge for Milton in the past.

Milton also looked very in control while handling the ball — he didn’t allow hounding Bulls point-of-attack defenders to speed him up and make poor decisions. Shake continues to come into his own as a pick-and-roll ball-handler, too, and attacked closeouts well off the catch. He displayed a very well-rounded offensive game.

• Furkan Korkmaz: A

32 mins | 25 pts | 6 reb | 1 ast | 0 stl | 0 blk | 2 TO | 9-13 FG | 7-9 3PT| 0-0 FT | 3 PF | +16 |

Korkmaz was questionable to play entering tonight’s game with a right wrist injury, but it definitely didn’t show. Coming off the bench late in the first quarter, the Turkish wing poured in three three-pointers in two minutes and change, providing scoring from the reserves that Philadelphia desperately needed on a shorthanded night.

Furkan stayed hot throughout the game, and his microwave scoring off the bench was exactly what the Sixers needed. He was also instrumental in quelling a Bulls run early in the fourth quarter with a few difficult shots, and tacked on a few late triples in an incredible shooting night.

• Tyrese Maxey: B

44 mins | 10 pts | 3 reb | 8 ast | 1 stl | 1 blk | 1 TO | 5-9 FG | 0-1 3PT | 0-0 FT | 1 PF | +3 |

The Sixers continue to depend on Tyrese Maxey to play heavy minutes and mask their lack of any other real point guards, and the now-21-year-old continues to deliver. While it’d be nice if he were a bit more willing to let it fly from deep, there’s no reason to nitpick Maxey’s game as long as he keeps the offense humming like he has so far this season.

It wasn’t Maxey’s best game as a Sixer, but he did a good job doing what he does best: getting downhill and finishing around the basket. He stayed efficient, didn’t force any shots, and finished a few of his patented blow-by right-handed scoop layups.

The Sixers will face off against the Knicks at Wells Fargo Center in their next game Monday, Nov. 8 at 7:00 p.m.