Sixers vs. Bulls, 8 p.m., Wells Fargo Center CSN Series tied, 1-1

Line
Bulls 1 over 76ers

Last meeting
The Sixers shot 59 percent from the field and dominated the third quarter to roll to a 109-92 victory in Game 2 to knot the series. Led by the scoring of Jrue Holiday, Evan Turner and Lou Williams and the defense of Andre Iguodala, Elton Brand and Lavoy Allen, the Sixers overcame an eight-point halftime deficit to put together their best quarter of basketball of the season.

The Sixers outscored the Bulls 36-14 in the third quarter largely because they attacked defensively and that led to points in transition.

We got our asses kicked, said Bulls center Joakim Noah.

Meanwhile, the Bulls played without MVP Derrick Rose, who made an emotional appearance just before tip before watching the game from a suite above the action. Rose tore his ACL in the waning moments of the Bulls Game 1 victory and is out for the rest of the postseason.

Whos hot?
Holiday made his first seven shots on his way to 26 points on 11-for-15 shooting. He also had a game-high six assists. Holiday leads the series with 42 points on 18-for-33 shooting.

Williams broke out of his scoring slump to score 20 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter of Game 2. Turner also added 19 points in his first postseason start. Plus, rookie center Allen leads the team with 15 rebounds in the two games.

For the Bulls, Noah led the way with 21 points and eight rebounds on 10-for-11 shooting. So far in the series Noah has 33 points and 21 boards.

Storylines
Can the Bulls bounce back without Rose? Can the Sixers defend their home court in the first game in Philly after seven straight on the road? Those are the underlying themes to a series that will be decided by the Sixers ability to keep the Bulls big men off the boards.

It comes down to the will to get the ball when youre supposed to get it. Its the will to get that rebound, the will to get that 50-50 ball, Sixers coach Doug Collins said.

Probable starters

Sixers
Andre Iguodala, F
Elton Brand, F
Lavoy Allen, C
Jrue Holiday, G
Evan Turner, G

Bulls
Joakim Noah, F
Richard Hamilton, F
Carlos Boozer, C
Luol Deng, G
C.J. Watson, G

Injuries
Andre Iguodala has Achilles tendonitis but will play in Game 3.

Derrick Roses ACL is still torn. Hes out.

E-mail John Finger at jfinger@comcastsportsnet.com