The Sixers hit three three-pointers in the final 36 seconds to close the gap against the Chicago Bulls before ultimately suffering a 118-115 loss.
The Sixers dropped to 0-6 with the loss, their worst start since they began the 1972-73 season with 15 consecutive defeats.
However, this one wasn’t without intrigue at the end.
After Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich missed two free throws, Chris Johnson drilled a three-pointer with 5.2 seconds left to pull the Sixers within one.
Hinrich was fouled again with just over two seconds remaining. This time he made both to give the Bulls a three-point lead.
With no timeouts, the Sixers inbounded the ball to Johnson, who got off a half-court heave at the buzzer that fell well short to give the team an 0-4 finish on this homestand.
NBA
Turning point
The score was tied at 57 after two quarters before the Bulls proceeded to outscore the Sixers, 35-19, in the third.
Chicago shot 5 for 9 from three-point range and 52.0 percent overall for the quarter.
Meanwhile, the Sixers committed six third-quarter turnovers.
Follow the leader
Tony Wroten led the way in scoring for the fifth time this season. Wroten scored a career-high 31 points, had seven assists and only two turnovers.
Over the last two games, Wroten has shot 7 for 16 from behind the arc.
Hollis Thompson was 7 for 14 from the field for 21 points.
Mike Dunleavy hit 5 of 8 three-pointers on his way to 27 points to lead the Bulls in scoring.
Jimmy Butler added 23 points for Chicago, while Pau Gasol contributed a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds.
Stat-egic
Chicago entered the game shooting 37.6 percent from behind the arc.
On the flip side, the Sixers allow opponents the fourth-highest made three-pointers per game with 9.6.
The Bulls proved to be the ones who were able to take advantage by finishing 12 of 24 from long distance in the game.
Take a bow
Luc Mbah a Moute started his fourth straight game, but this marked his first at the power forward position.
Mbah a Moute registered a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds, both season highs.
Health check
The Sixers had only nine players available with Nerlens Noel out with a sprained left ankle and Malcolm Thomas bothered by a sore and swollen left knee.
Chicago's Derrick Rose sat out for the third time this season because of two sprained ankles.
What's next?
The Sixers play their first of four straight road games when they take on the Toronto Raptors Sunday night.
Toronto leads the Atlantic Division with a 5-1 record. DeMar DeRozen leads the Raptors in scoring with 22.0 points per game, while former Villanova standout Kyle Lowry is second with 19.6 points. Lowry also averages 5.2 assists and 3.6 rebounds a night.