Just two days after Chicago was crushed to hear that Derrick Rose would not be returning to the court this season due to a torn ACL, the re-energized Philadelphia 76ers were looking to get back on track and tie up the series at 1.
Despite a high-scoring first quarter, Philly stayed in the game. Andre Iguodala came off a screen at the top of the arc and drained a three-pointer late in the first quarter to tie at 25, but the Bulls finished the frame with a 28-25 advantage.
Turner had a nice game, scoring 19 and continuing his hot streak.
The Sixers had an early three point-lead in the second, 35-32, when John Lucas knocked down a long ball to tie it. That little man controlled the entire second quarter, giving the Bulls as much as a 10-point lead. They led 55-47 at the half.
The third quarter, as its been all season, was where the Sixers made their move. Jrue Holiday, who led all scorers with 26, hit a three to bring the Sixers within three, 57-54, and cap off a 7-2 run. After a Rip Hamilton jumper put the Bulls up five, 61-56, the Sixers went on a 12-0 run to take a 68-61 lead midway through the period.
With a minute left, Lou Williams hit the quarter’s final field goal to put the Sixers up 14, 83-69. Philly outscored the Bulls 36-14 in the frame!
Holiday feasted on Watson all night long, rejuvenated with the Bulls' loss of PG Derrick Rose.
Lavoy Allen hit a jumper to put the Sixers up 21, 91-70, only a couple minutes later as part of a 11-point night for the Temple product. Sweet Lou hit a jumper with 4:31 to play to put Philly up 24, 102-78. They would not look back.
Joakim Noah led Chicago with 21 points and 8 rebounds, with Lucas scoring 15 off the bench.
For the Sixers, Holiday was outstanding, going 11-15 from the field with 26 points and 6 assists. Williams added 19 points and 6 assists, Evan Turner scored 19, grabbed 7 boards, and dished out 6 assists, and Allen scored 11 and led the team with 9 rebounds.
The Sixers win game 2 and tie the series up with a 109-92 road blowout of the Bulls. Game 3 is in Philadelphia, at 8 PM on Friday.
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