Instant Replay: Bulls 91, Sixers 81

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CHICAGO -- The Sixers now stand alone as they close in on the NBA’s all-time consecutive game losing streak record.

A tight game slipped out of reach in the fourth quarter as Chicago beat the Sixers for the second time in five days Saturday night at the United Center with a 91-81 victory.

The loss was the Sixers' 24th straight as they broke out of a four-way tie for a second place mark for consecutive losses they shared with Vancouver (1995-96), Denver (1997-98) and Charlotte (2011-12). The 2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers lead with 26 straight defeats.

The Sixers, now 15-55, could match the mark Thursday at Houston.

Turning point
Joakim Noah’s layup with 8:19 to play and subsequent three-pointer from Kirk Hinrich gave the Bulls their first 10-point lead at 76-66. The Sixers never got closer than seven points while Chicago opened leads of as many as 12 points down the stretch.

Follow the leader
Forward Thaddeus Young scored a game team-high 28 points despite 10-of-26 shooting (38 percent) while center Henry Sims added 18 points and 15 rebounds. Noah paced Chicago with 20 points while Jimmy Butler had 17.

Stat-egic
The Sixers were 54.4 percent shooting free throws over the past four games (43 of 79) but were perfect to start Saturday with 9 for 9 until the 5:25 mark of the second quarter, when James Anderson missed the first of two. The Sixers ended 20 of 22 for the game (90.9 percent). ... Tony Wroten’s ankle injury suffered Friday in New York will keep the Sixers’ No. 3 scorer (13.3 points) sidelined at least through late next week.

Take a bow
There were still three minutes left in the third quarter, but Sims already had his third double-double of the season and second in two games with 12 points and 10 rebounds. He finished with 18 points and 15 boards.

What’s next?
The Sixers could extend their franchise-record losing streak to 25 as they play the second in a three-game road trip Monday in San Antonio. They’re two games away from matching the Cavaliers’ all-time NBA record of 26 consecutive losses (Dec. 20, 2010 through Feb. 9, 2011).

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