Embiid's Dominance Proves Too Much for Woeful Bulls

That was a statement game, if you want to call it that, from the Philadelphia 76ers against the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night. The final score, 110-97, doesn't even really tell the full story of how much Joel Embiid just completely owned the paint and, frankly, the entire game. He finished with a ridiculous 31 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists – a triple-double that felt almost routine for the reigning MVP.

Here's the thing: the Bulls had no answer. None. Nikola Vucevic, bless his heart, tried, but he was getting pushed around like a high schooler. Vucevic ended up with 16 points and 9 boards, but it felt like half of those came in garbage time. Embiid was just too big, too skilled, and too motivated. You could see it in his eyes, especially after those early post-ups where he just willed the ball into the hoop over two defenders.

Maxey's Continued Ascent

Tyrese Maxey keeps showing us he's the real deal, not just a flash in the pan. He dropped 24 points on 9-of-17 shooting, including a couple of really tough pull-up threes in the second quarter when the Bulls were trying to make a run. Remember last season when everyone wondered if he could consistently be a secondary scorer? That question's been answered. He's averaging over 26 points a night, a significant jump from his 20.3 PPG in the 2022-23 campaign.

And it's not just the scoring. Maxey’s facilitating has taken a step too, chipping in 6 assists against the Bulls, many of them finding Embiid for easy buckets. He’s playing with a confidence that wasn't always there. He looks like a legitimate All-Star, and frankly, he should be in the conversation for Most Improved Player, even if Embiid’s heroics overshadow some of his consistent brilliance.

Bulls' Offensive Woes Persist

Real talk: the Bulls are a mess on offense. DeMar DeRozan led them with 25 points, but it felt like a lot of contested mid-range jumpers and not much else. Zach LaVine, who just returned from injury, looked rusty, scoring only 14 points on 5-of-16 shooting. This team struggles to generate easy looks, and their 3-point shooting was abysmal, hitting just 8 of 30 attempts from deep, a paltry 26.7%.

They had a decent stretch in the third quarter, cutting the lead to eight points at one point, but it never felt sustainable. They just don't have enough offensive firepower to hang with a team like the Sixers when Embiid is cooking. The ball movement often stagnates, and too many possessions end with a desperate isolation play. It’s hard to watch. They shot 43.5% from the field as a team, and that’s just not good enough in today’s NBA.

Thing is, the Bulls are stuck in neutral. They’re not good enough to contend, and they’re not bad enough to get a top pick. They’re just… there. This loss drops them to 5-11 on the season, a record that accurately reflects their current standing in the Eastern Conference.

I'll tell you what, if the Sixers can stay healthy, especially Embiid, they are absolutely going to make the Eastern Conference Finals. Mark it down.