Kevin Huerter knocked down five 3-pointers and scored 18 points, leading the Chicago Bulls to a dominant 122-102 win over the Philadelphia 76ers in their regular-season finale on Sunday.
The victory served as a tune-up for the Bulls, who are locked into the No. 9 seed in the Eastern Conference for the second consecutive season. Chicago will host the No. 10 seed Miami Heat in a win-or-go-home play-in game on Wednesday night.
Chicago Preps for Postseason Push
The Bulls will make their third straight appearance in the NBA Play-In Tournament, aiming to secure a spot in the 2025 NBA Playoffs. Talen Horton-Tucker added 17 points in what was a relatively low-stakes game for both teams in terms of playoff implications.
Head coach Billy Donovan expressed optimism that injured guard Josh Giddey (right wrist) will return for Wednesday's crucial matchup. Giddey averaged 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.6 assists this season and is considered a key piece for Chicago’s postseason hopes.
Sixers Close Disappointing Season
The Philadelphia 76ers, plagued by injuries and inconsistency all season, ended their campaign with just 24 wins, finishing on a 5-31 skid. Despite a breakout performance from Lonnie Walker IV, who scored 31 points and hit eight 3-pointers, the Sixers were unable to stop the Bulls’ second-half surge.
Jared Butler also contributed 19 points for Philadelphia.
This season marks a low point for the franchise, despite a star-studded roster that included Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey. The trio played just 15 games together, with Embiid suiting up only 19 times due to injury. The Sixers missed the playoffs for the first time since the 2016-17 season.
Game Highlights and Team Notes
- Chicago outscored Philadelphia 37-19 in the third quarter, erasing a halftime deficit and cruising to the win.
- The Bulls improved to ready form ahead of Wednesday’s elimination game against the Heat.
- Philadelphia is now positioned for the fifth-best odds in the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery, with a 10.5% chance of securing the No. 1 overall pick.
What’s Next:
- Chicago Bulls: Host the Miami Heat on Wednesday night in a single-elimination play-in game.
- Philadelphia 76ers: Begin offseason preparations and await their position in the upcoming NBA Draft Lottery.
