NBA 2021/22 on Tuesday, 08.03.2022
The game between the Philadelphia 76ers and Chicago Bulls is the first big challenge for the home side since they landed a real scoop just in time for the trade deadline.
In fact, I’ll go so far as to say that the Sixers have become an outright favourite to win it all after the Harden transfer. According to my 76ers Bulls tip, they will definitely show the visitors where it’s at with this lineup!
James Harden is certainly not one of the most popular players in the NBA, especially after what he pulled off recently to force his move from the Brooklyn Nets to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Malicious tongues even claim that The Beard only faked his recent injury to make his old employers understand: “If you keep me, you won’t get to see a decent minute of play from me anymore”.
That must have been how the New Yorkers took it, because in the end they agreed to the unfavourable trade to the Sixers for Ben Simmons! Since then, Harden has been playing like Michael Jordan in his prime!
Since his trade, the Sixers are 4-0 and really dismantling their opponents! That’s because the average margin of victory in each of those wins has been a whopping 17 points! James Harden and Joel Embiid have had instant chemistry.
However, it was precisely these two superstars who were resting in yesterday’s 82-99 loss to Miami. Consequently, this minor setback should not unsettle any 76ers fan too much, especially since Embiid and Harden will be back in the starting line-up against Chicago.
The Bulls, again, are not a bad team – absolutely not! However, they face two significant problems tonight. For one, a couple of key players are out and two, the Bulls usually don’t look that good against strong teams.
Let’s start with the absences: Alex Caruso and Lonzo Ball will have to rest on the visitors’ side! But it is precisely these two players on whom the success of their team often depends. Their absence does not bode well!
Furthermore, it cannot be denied that the Bulls usually don’t let anything go against weaker franchises, but often disappoint against clubs of the Sixers’ calibre. There are plenty of examples of this!
Against Philadelphia alone, Chicago have lost each of their three meetings so far this season! One more loss and the Bulls would string together five straight defeats for the first time this season.
To prove the point that Chicago usually lose out to stronger franchises, we need look back no further than a week. That’s because the last four losses have all come against +492% teams.
Namely, the Grizzlies (110-116), the Heat (99-112), the Hawks (124-130) and the Bucks (112-118). And of all the franchises mentioned, I think the Sixers are the strongest right now – especially after the “Harden upgrade”.
Incidentally, the 76ers won the last head-to-head meeting 119-108 almost exactly a month ago. With The Beard on the floor, things should be even more clear-cut in favour of the home side tonight.
Conclusion: The Chicago Bulls could lose five straight NBA games for the first time this season. Meanwhile, the current injuries to Alonso Ball and Alex Caruso are taking a toll on them.
In addition, the Bulls are struggling to hold their own against teams with strong play – they have already lost three duels to the Sixers alone this season!
Philadelphia, on the other hand, improved a lot with the trade of James Harden! With The Beard on the floor, they’ve won four straight and if Harden and Embiid play together tonight, they’re bound for more success!
My 76ers Chicago Bulls tip is therefore: Triumph of the Seventy-Sixers with HC -4!
