Sixers-Bulls: What you need to know

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Sixers vs. Bulls, 7 p.m.CSNESPN

Line
Bulls by 4 over Sixers

Records
Sixers: 22-15 (First in the Atlantic Division; fourth place in the Eastern Conference).
Bulls: 30-8 (First in Central Division; first in Eastern Conference).

Previous games
The Sixers snapped a four-game home losing streak with a 105-83 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Friday night. After losing five in a row heading into the All-Star break, the Sixers have won two out of their last three games with the lone loss a heartbreaker against the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder.

Last time out, the Sixers cracked the century mark for the first time since Jan. 23, a span covering 19 games.

The Bulls have won five in a row and seven out of their last eight games. During the winning streak, the Bulls have averaged 101.4 points per game and rolled to a 112-91 victory over the Cavaliers. Known mostly for their league-leading defense, the Bulls have topped 100 points 14 times this season and are second in the East with 97.7 points per game.

However, when the Sixers and Bulls met on Feb. 1 at the Center, it was the home team that filled up the basket. Behind 19 points from Andre Iguodala and Thad Young, the Sixers rolled to a 16-point victory over the Bulls and held them to just 11 points during the third quarter.

It should be noted, though, that All-Star Luol Deng and starter Rip Hamilton were out with injuries while reigning MVP Derrick Rose sat out the fourth quarter to nurse an illness.

Whos hot
Elton Brand has posted two straight double-doubles, going for 14 points and 14 rebounds against Golden State. Also, since the All-Star Game, Iguodala is 17 for 34 from the field and leads the team with 18 assists. Young has poured it on, scoring 17.3 points per game since the break and shooting 23 for 45 from the field with 24 rebounds.

The Bulls go 10 deep, but it starts and ends with Rose. In the last three games, the point guard has averaged 26.6 points with 22 assists. Hes put up those numbers by averaging 21 shots per game over that span.

Storylines
Though the Bulls have had the best record in the East over the past two seasons, they havent dominated the Sixers. The teams have split the last four meetings with the Sixers taking the last two. However, the last time the teams played, the Sixers won big in part because Deng and Hamilton did not play and Rose was ill.

The Bulls will have no such worries come Sunday night.

Injuries
Spencer Hawes (Achilles) is out again.

The Bulls have all hands on deck.

E-mail John R. Finger at jfinger@comcastsportsnet.com

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