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Player grades: LeBron James, Sixers defeat Bulls for 4th straight win
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- Player grades: LeBron James, Sixers defeat Bulls for 4th straight win
PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia 76ers returned home on Monday to play host to the Chicago Bulls as they looked to keep things moving in the right direction. The Sixers entered this contest on a 3-game win streak and were hoping to extend it against a young and rebuilding Bulls team.
There was a tough stretch in the second quarter that saw the Bulls take a brief lead, but the Sixers then took control going into halftime and then expanded the lead in the third to eventually walk away with a 126-107 win for their fourth straight. It was a well-rounded effort up and down the roster as LeBron James finished with 15 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds.
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Tyrese Maxey had 26 points, 11 assists, two steals, and two blocks, VJ Edgecombe had 21 points and five assists on a big offensive night, Jaylen Brown had 25 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists and Joel Embiid had 15 points and eight rebounds. Dean Wade added eight points.
Here are the player grades following the win:
Tyrese Maxey: A
The star guard got off to a slow start in terms of his own offense, but he did so many other good things to help this team get off to a solid start. He was terrific defensively as he bothered Chicago at the point of attack while also making plays with his passing. He was terrific as a playmaker in this one and came up with some big defensive moments for Philadelphia. Also, again, his defense really has to be highlighted. He did a fantastic job against Bulls star Norman Powell and really bothered Chicago on the perimeter as well as putting in work on the glass. Just an all-around very good game for Maxey before he exploded offensively in the fourth quarter to really put the game away.
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VJ Edgecombe: A
The second-year guard took advantage of a number of transition opportunities early. Edgecombe is so quick and so athletic and he was able to run as the Sixers forced some bad misses and turnovers for the Bulls. He also got going early with his 3-point shot, which is a good sign for him as he has been something of a slow start to the season in terms of his shot from beyond the arc. Overall, he was super efficient with his shot and found ways to really give the Sixers a perimeter scoring punch. He continues to be such an important piece of this roster.
Jaylen Brown: A
Normally a slow starter, Brown was terrific from the jump in this one. The 5-time All-Star was getting to his spots on the offensive end, using his size and length to rise up over defenders for easy hoops. He was then able to extend it out to the 3-point line and he knocked down some tough shots to keep the scoreboard moving. He was very good in this one both as a scorer and on the glass as he found ways to produce and give Philadelphia a little bit of everything.
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LeBron James: A
The future Hall of Famer wasn't at his most efficient to start this one, but he was helpful on the glass, was able to make plays for others with his elite passing, and he was great defensively. James truly has defended his behind off to begin the season in an effort to set the tone for the Sixers on that end of the floor. He then got going in the second half as he got after it on the offensive end, getting into the paint and coming up with some impressive finishes. He was barking out orders on both ends, found ways to make things easier for his teammates, and the rebounding was essential in this one. His playmaking was also something to behold as he really impressed in that area.
Joel Embiid: A
Dealing with some plantar fascia issues, the big fella was moving well early. He was able to get some easy buckets in the early going just by screening for James and rolling to the basket for a quick layup. The Bulls didn't have an answer for him and as long as he was able to get to a spot on the floor with space to operate, it meant good results for Philadelphia. The 3-point shot continues to be a bit of a struggle for him, but Embiid was terrific in the mid-range and at the basket as he gave the Sixers the offense they needed to handle this Bulls team.
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Dean Wade: A
The initial stint for Wade was pretty normal as he hoped off the bench and provided a little bit of everything. He was tough defensively, got into the passing lanes to force a turnover, leading to him finding Edgecombe for a dunk, and he also had a block. Then, he found his groove from 3-point range as he knocked down a number of corner 3s in order to help Philadelphia keep things moving offensively.
Anfernee Simons: C-plus
Simons hopped off the bench and immediately drilled a 3, per usual, and then had some good moments defensively in his initial stint. Not the most efficient game for Simons after the hot start, including some air balls, but he provided some good production and spaced the floor by his mere presence. Chicago had to pay a ton of attention to him.
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Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: B
The initial stint for KCP was helpful. Caldwell-Pope got after it on the defensive end and knocked down a triple as he has really found his role and his niche within this team's offensive ecosystem. He has begun to settle in nicely in Philadelphia. He was terrific defensively in the second half of this one.
Adem Bona: C-plus
The initial Bona stint was a mixed bag. He had a nice finish in the paint, but he was a mess defensively. He got called for a foul and probably should have picked up a second one, but got lucky the official missed it. Now, after halftime, Bona was able to hit the glass and give the Sixers some help in that area. For him to effective, he has to be able to be helpful rebounding the basketball and protect the rim. He had good moments of each in the second half.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Player grades: LeBron James, Sixers defeat Bulls for 4th straight win
