2 min read • March 07, 2022
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This battle between two top Eastern Conference teams may hinge on the availability of Bulls center Nikola Vucevic.
The 31-year-old former Magic center did not practice Sunday due to right hamstring tightness and is officially listed as questionable for the Monday matchup.
Bulls Team Health Score: 81.5
If Vucevic does play against the 76ers, his minutes will likely be limited. Either way, this sets up as a big game for new signee Tristan Thompson.
Chicago also has Tony Bradley as another big body to throw at MVP-candidate Joel Embiid ($10,900 on FanDuel), who has been unstoppable against healthy centers of late.
Embiid has average 30.2 points, 12.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists in his last 10 games.
Chicago has given up an average of 23.6 points and 15.8 rebounds to opposing centers this season, ranking in the bottom of the league for both defensive categories.
Various injuries also have the Bulls thin at guard. They are still awaiting the returns for Alex Caruso and Lonzo Ball, although rookie Ayo Dosunmu ($6,000) has played well in increased minutes.
Coby White ($5,500) has also seen increased time and production with those two out.
76ers Team Health Score: 93.6
Philadelphia has remained healthy all season and have the second-best record in the East to show for it.
James Harden ($10,400) missed Saturday's loss against Miami as part of scheduled load management for the hamstring injury he had at the end of his time with the Nets.
Harden has looked unaffected by his hamstring while with the 76ers and is averaging 26.8 points on 59% shooting in four games with his new team.
The Bulls rank 17th in points allowed to opponents and 22nd in opponent field goal percentage, potentially opens up a big scoring night for Harden and Embiid.
Philadelphia's only health concern besides Harden is veteran Paul Millsap, who can only play limited minutes at this point in his career.
New signee DeAndre Jordan should help on that front and take some pressure off Embiid down the stretch.
The 76ers are 7.5-point favorites at home and the over/under is 232.5, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Potential Plays:
PHI -7.5 - Philadelphia is the healthier side and shouldn't have trouble extending the lead against Chicago's depleted defense if they get out early.
Embiid O30.5 - Vucevic won't be 100% if he plays and Thompson can't keep up with Embiid, who scored 40 last time these two teams met.
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