CHICAGO -- The Sixers had seemingly put the game away … and then the Bulls threatened to take it back.
The Sixers led by as many as 26 and were up 18 after the third. The Bulls came charging into the fourth and cut the Sixers' lead to 10 with 7:15 to play.
Unlike Monday's overtime loss to the Magic, in which the Sixers gave up a 17-point lead, the Sixers managed to hold on against the Bulls for a 117-107 win Friday. The victory was the Sixers' first over the Bulls since Nov. 2, 2013, to snap a 12-game skid.
Dario Saric scored a career-high 32 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the win.
The Sixers fended off 36 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds from Jimmy Butler.
Jahlil Okafor missed his eighth game with right knee soreness. Richaun Holmes got the start.
NBA
Embiid undergoes surgery
Joel Embiid underwent minor arthroscopic surgery on Friday in Los Angeles to repair a meniscus tear in his left knee. The Sixers expect he will resume basketball activity this summer (see story).
Inside the box score
• Breaking down Saric's shooting, he went 12 for 19 from the field, 2 for 5 from three and 6 for 8 from the line.
• Shawn Long shined, once again (see story), with 18 points and seven rebounds in 20 minutes.
• Butler shot 16 for 21 from the free throw line. The Sixers, as a team, shot 17 for 23.
• Bobby Portis recorded a 17-point, 11-rebound double-double off the bench.
• Nikola Mirotic scored 15 points.
Paint everywhere
The Sixers scored a massive 70 points in the paint. They held the Bulls to 30 points in the same area.
Checking in on former Sixers
Michael Carter-Williams clocked 23 minutes. He finished with nine points, one rebound, one assist and five fouls. Isaiah Canaan did not play.
Up next
The Sixers will travel to Indianapolis to face the Pacers (36-36) on Sunday night.