By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 03:39 GMT, 27 December 2025 | Updated: 03:39 GMT, 27 December 2025
CHICAGO (AP) - Jalen Smith sparked a game-ending run with a thunderous dunk on Joel Embiid, and the Chicago Bulls matched a season high with their fifth straight win, beating the Philadelphia 76ers 109-102 on Friday night.
The Bulls scored the final 10 points of the game, starting with Smith´s driving dunk. Tre Jones and Zach Collins each had 15 points, and Coby White scored 13, helping the Bulls match their best streak since a 5-0 start. They also evened their record at 15-15.
Embiid led Philadelphia with 31 points. Tyrese Maxey scored 27 and had five 3-pointers. Paul George shook off a slow start to finish with 15 points and a season-high 12 rebounds, but the 76ers lost for the fourth time in as many games this season with their three stars in the lineup.
The Sixers led 102-99 after Embiid backed in with 2:45 remaining, but that was all the scoring for them. Smith then drove the baseline and dunked on a rotating Embiid with about 2:30 remaining, bringing the crowd to its feet.
White then nailed a step back 3, drawing more roars, and Jones hit a reverse layup. After a driving Maxey got blocked by Nikola Vucevic, Jones tracked down a loose ball and laid it in with 47 seconds left. He added a free throw with 17 seconds remaining.
Embiid, who has missed 15 games mainly due to right knee soreness, scored 16 points as the cold-shooting Sixers grabbed a 52-49 halftime lead.
Chicago Bulls' Josh Giddy battles Philadelphia 76ers' Paul George (8) for a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 26, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
Philadelphia made just 3 of 15 3-pointers and was 19 of 50 from the field through the first two quarters. Even so, the Sixers went from leading 13-2 to trailing by 11 early in the second to taking a three-point advantage to the locker room.
76ers: Visit Oklahoma City on Sunday.
Bulls: Host Milwaukee on Saturday.
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Philadelphia 76ers' VJ Edgecombe dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Friday, Dec. 26, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
Philadelphia 76ers' Jabari Walker, center, battles Chicago Bulls' Zach Collins (12) and Jalen Smith, right, for a rebound during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 26, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)