Sixers Bell Ringer: Sixers snag second win in as many nights behind strong performances from Maxey and Oubre

The Sixers faced some adversity in this one, as they often have this season, but grind their way to second consecutive victory taking down the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night.

Sixers Bell Ringer Season Standings:

Tyrese Maxey – 8

Jared McCain – 8

Joel Embiid – 7

Paul George – 7

Guerschon Yabusele – 4

Kelly Oubre Jr – 2

Ricky Council IV- 2

KJ Martin – 2

Justin Edwards – 2

Adem Bona – 1

The Philadelphia 76ers traveled to Chicago on Saturday night for a clash with the Bulls at the United Center and walked away with their second win in two nights. This is the first Sixers’ sweep of a back-to-back this season.

Philadelphia came into this latter half of a back-to-back riding the high of Friday’s stunning win at the Wells Fargo Center over the Eastern Conference leading Cleveland Cavaliers. The Sixers would still be without the services of Joel Embiid, Jared McCain, Caleb Martin, KJ Martin, and Andre Drummond who all continue to nurse injuries.

Tyrese Maxey and Paul George picked up right where they left off Friday. Maxey led the Sixers with 15 first quarter points on 6-of-8 field goal shooting after pouring in 14 in the first frame against the Cavs. Paul George finished the opening period with nine points of his own and the Sixers led 30-28 after the first quarter.

The Sixers extended their lead in the second quarter behind a jolt of scoring from their bench. Reggie Jackson scored seven points in the period and Ricky Council added five. Maxey added to his total and led the field with 20 points at halftime as the Sixers entered the break with a 60-53 advantage.

Justin Edwards started the second half for the Sixers, as George would not return to the game after leaving late in the first half with an injury to his left pinkie finger.

The Bulls tried to take back control in the third quarter as they keyed in heavily on Maxey, denying and trapping the Sixers’ guard in an attempt to get the ball out of his hands. This strategy proved effective throughout the quarter with the Philadelphia offense hitting a bit of a slump. Winning the frame by a score of 30-20, the Bulls took an 83-80 advantage to the fourth quarter.

In the fourth, the Sixers put together one of their best defensive efforts of the season, forcing 11 Bulls turnovers in the fourth — Chicago ended the game with 19 turnovers compared to Philadelphia’s four. Oubre got the Sixers going offensively to start the quarter with five quick points out the gate and Maxey dazzled with tough shot making to stretch the Sixers lead late. The Sixers would go onto win 109-97 to snatch their second win in as many nights.

Time for the Bell Ringer!

Tyrese Maxey: 31 points (12-for-23 FG), 5 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals, 1 block

Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Maxey was fantastic in this one, leading the field and leading the Sixers to victory.

He scored 15 of his 31 points in the first quarter to get the Sixers out to an early lead. After leading the floor with 20 points the first half, Maxey was swarmed with an aggressive defensive approach from the Bulls out of the break, with Chicago trying to force the ball out of his hands and without George there as an option for him. While the Bulls were able to slow him down a little in the third, Maxey was not deterred in the fourth. He knocked down three huge buckets in the fourth to extend the Sixers lead and ultimately help secure the victory. These two tough jumpers were key:

This was Maxey’s tenth consecutive game scoring 28 or more points.

Kelly Oubre Jr.: 22 points (9-for-18 FG), 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, game high +18

Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images

Oubre was once again the ball of energy the Sixers needed on Saturday night.

Oubre notched his second points-rebounds double-double in two nights, pulling down 12 boards against the Bulls after pulling down 13 in Friday’s game. The Sixers, often extremely undersized with Joel Embiid and Andre Drummond out, can really struggle on the glass at times. Having Oubre’s athleticism and energy to fight for boards helps somewhat fill that rebounding void.

Oubre’s surge of offense early in the fourth quarter was the spark the Sixers needed to get over the hump. With Maxey beginning the fourth quarter on the bench, the Sixers’ leaned on Oubre to produce some offense, and he came through in a big way. Oubre continues to show is value to this Sixers team in his ability to play many different roles depending on who else is in the lineup alongside him. The Sixers will need him to continue this level of play if they want to climb back up the Eastern Conference standings and into the playoff picture.