Bulls get ready for NBA play-in game with 122-102 win over 76ers in regular-season finale
Chicago Bulls' Kevin Huerter (13) reacts past Philadelphia 76ers' Lonnie Walker IV during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Philadelphia. Credit: AP/Matt Rourke
PHILADELPHIA — Kevin Huerter hit five 3-pointers and scored 18 points and the Chicago Bulls warmed-up for the play-in game with a 122-102 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday.
The Bulls are the No. 9 seed in the Eastern Conference for the second straight season and will make their third straight appearance in the play-in tournament. The Bulls play the Heat on Wednesday night.
Talen Horton-Tucker scored 17 points in a largely meaningless game for both teams.
The Bulls had been locked in to their play-in spot. The 76ers finished with only 24 wins and finished the season on a 5-31 stretch.
Lonnie Walker IV hit eight 3-pointers and scored 31 points for the Sixers. Jared Butler added 19 points.
Takeaways
Bulls: Bulls coach Billy Donovan expected injured guard Josh Giddey (right wrist) to return for Wednesday's play-in game against Miami. Giddey averaged 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.6 assists this season.
76ers: The 76ers finished perhaps — given the weight of the expectations with three All-Stars and a massive payroll — their worst season in franchise history. Paul George, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey played all of 15 games together this season. The trio played a combined 119 games. Embiid, a two-time scoring champion, played only 19.
Philadelphia 76ers' Isaiah Mobley, left, passes as Chicago Bulls' Matas Buzelis (14) defends and 76ers Jared Butler looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Philadelphia. Credit: AP/Matt Rourke
Key moment
The Bulls outscored the 76ers 37-19 in the third quarter to wipe out a halftime deficit.
Up next
The ninth-seeded Bulls host No. 10 Miami on Wednesday in an elimination game.
The 76ers are guaranteed at least the fifth-best odds in the NBA draft lottery. That spot gives them a 10.5% chance at getting the top overall pick. They missed the postseason for the first time since the 2016-17 season.
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