Bulls limp into Philly as Embiid's latest victims

The Bulls stagger into Wells Fargo Center having forgotten what defense looks like, bleeding 128.2 points per game over their last five contests while dropping four straight. Now they're walking into a buzzsaw without starting center Nic Claxton, who's out and leaves Chicago with nobody capable of slowing down Joel Embiid or providing any semblance of rim protection.

Philadelphia smells blood. The Sixers are rolling at home with three straight wins, sitting 3-1 at the Wells Fargo while playing disciplined basketball on both ends. They're rested on two days off, offensively more efficient than Chicago despite the Bulls' frenetic pace, and they've got the defensive infrastructure to make life miserable for a Bulls offense that's been mediocre all season.

Without Claxton, Chicago's interior defense goes from bad to nonexistent. Embiid should feast in the paint, and when the Bulls inevitably collapse to help, Philly's shooters will pick them apart from distance. Chicago's four-game skid has exposed every flaw in their system, and this matchup only amplifies them.

DarkHorse likes Philadelphia laying 11.5 points with strong confidence, and it's hard to argue. The Sixers should control tempo, dominate the paint, and pull away in the second half as Chicago's defensive fatigue becomes terminal. Lay the points.