Sixers attempt to end seven-game losing streak in matchup vs. Bulls

As the Sixers’ poor efforts continue, let’s see if they can end their seven-game losing streak on Monday against the Bulls.

You wouldn’t think Monday’s game against a 22-35 Bulls team, riding a six-game losing streak, would be another tough night for a team as talented as these Sixers, but that’s likely where we’re heading with how woeful things have been this year.

The Sixers picked up their seventh straight loss on Saturday, losing against the Nets at the last second — with a fitting failed box-out to allow a buzzer-beating put-back. It takes the Sixers to 20-36 and 12th place in the Eastern Conference, just two spots behind Chicago.

We also enter the new week having heard on Sunday that the Sixers and Joel Embiid are now “considering alternative options” for how to move forward with his injured knee. With Embiid cleared hampered and current treatments and injections not working, we’ll have to wait and see how they decide to handle the rest of the season. Hopefully this means Embiid will move away from limping through games and can actually get the appropriate level of rest and treatment.

Somehow, Embiid is still officially questionable to play against the Bulls, though. Tyrese Maxey (right finger sprain) is questionable too, while Justin Edwards (left ankle sprain), Eric Gordon (right wrist sprain) and Kyle Lowry (right hip injury management) remain out along with Jared McCain.

The Bulls are clearly having their own hardships, although playoff contention was never expected for them this year anyway. They rank only 20th in offensive rating and a mere 27th in defense. Their lacking rim protection could be the main area where Tyrese Maxey and co. look to find an advantage. Chicago’s offense looks rather different too after trading Zach LaVine before the deadline, with Kevin Huerter, Zach Collins and Tre Jones coming to Chicago.

Nevertheless, the Bulls still have some offensive weapons that could do some damage to this slacking Sixers’ defense right now. Apart from the new additions, Coby White’s strong offensive year continues as he averages 18.1 points with a career-high 57.9 true shooting percentage.

Nikola Vucevic is in a similar position, doing more of what he’s always done as a reliable finisher, interior scorer, solid rebounder, and spot-up threat with averages of 19.1 points, 10.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game with the best true shooting percentage (61.4) of his career.

As is the case against any opponent these days, the Sixers can’t expect to win without turning in a decent effort.

The Sixers did fight back later in Saturday’s game against Brooklyn, but they can’t keep coming out flat if they actually want to return to winning ways. Maxey summed it up best after Saturday’s game:

“They played way harder than we did early on. I guess we think we can ease our way into games, obviously, we’ve shown it, but that’s not going to help us in the long run, that’s not going to help us in our current position as well. We tried to ease our way into the game, got hit in the mouth, but you know what, we responded. It was kind of like, you can’t cheat the game, can’t start off like that, then play the right way and expect to win.”

Sure, there are still some positives to watch with the Sixers right now. Quentin Grimes has brought some refreshing two-way play and energy. Guerschon Yabusele is always going to hustle. Maxey at least put up 31 points on Saturday and has still averaged a whopping 30.4 points on 50.6/38.4/93.7 shooting splits with 6.9 assists over his last 15 games.

But overall this Sixers team is nothing but lacklustre, from their energy levels to the baffling decision to play stars like Embiid and Paul George when they aren’t healthy.

If you’re going to tank, sit out the stars. If you’re going to reset next year, rest the stars now when they need it. If you’re not going to give up on this season, which the team keeps insisting is the case, show a bit more fight to make that apparent.

Nothing about the Sixers really makes sense right now. And as long as this continues, there’s always a good chance that losses against teams like the Nets and Bulls are going to continue. No one even deserves our Bell Ringer honor on nights like this, as LB’s Erin Grugan summed up so well on Saturday.

Anyway, let’s see what happens on Monday as this slog of a regular season approaches its final quarter. Maybe those positives I mentioned will outweigh the negatives just enough to create a win, if Maxey is available… Or the opposite happens to improve those ever-increasing lottery odds to keep the team’s top-6-protected pick.

Game details

When: Monday, Feb. 24, 7:00 p.m.

Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA

Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia

Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic

Follow: @LibertyBallers