Chicago: The Chicago Bulls recovered from a sluggish start to race past the Philadelphia 76ers for an 89-80 victory at the United Centre on Saturday.
Playing without reigning MVP Derrick Rose, missing a third game with a groin strain, the Bulls leaked 11 points before scoring their first basket after five minutes and fell behind by as many as 14 in the second quarter before storming back.
"I didn't think I reached them in the first quarter," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. "You know what? They were great today, and I knew they would be.
"Everyone hung together and just worked our way out of it."
Asserting their will
Chicago trimmed the deficit to six points at 44-38 at half-time.
The Bulls asserted their will on the offensive boards in the third quarter allowing them to complete the comeback and build a five point advantage heading into the final period.
"One of the things we struggle with is our half-court offence," said 76ers coach Doug Collins. "They're a very, very good defensive team.
C.J. Watson replaced Rose in the Bulls starting line-up and led Chicago with 20 points, including a three-pointer with three minutes left in the third quarter that gave the Bulls (37-10) the lead for good at 57-55.
Joakim Noah added 13 points and 11 rebounds for the league leaders.
"Our offence is a point-guard offence. If the point guard isn't aggressive, the offence doesn't do anything," said Watson.
Philadelphia (25-20) were led by Jrue Holiday's 30 points, and Spencer Hawes was the only other starter to score in double digits with ten as they fell to a third-straight loss.
