Player grades: LeBron James, Sixers end road trip with win over Bulls

CHICAGO — The Philadelphia 76ers paid a visit to the Chicago Bulls on Sunday afternoon looking to end their road trip on a high note before heading home. The Sixers have been able to rely on their star power and their defense in order to pick up wins and they looked to rely on both once again as they faced off with this pesky, young Bulls team.

After a slow start, the Sixers were able to rally on the road and take control of the game about midway through the second quarter. Philadelphia’s stars powered it through on the offensive end while the Sixers locked in defensively when it mattered most. In the end, the Sixers walked out of Chicago with a 127-121 win to finish 2-1 on the road trip.

LeBron James had 22 points, four rebounds, and five assists for Philadelphia while Tyrese Maxey had 27 points and seven assists, and Jaylen Brown had 29 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. Joel Embiid had 18 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, and VJ Edgecombe had 13 and six rebounds. Jabari Walker was fantastic off the bench with nine and 11 boards and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added six, six rebounds, and three assists.

Here are the player grades following the win:

Tyrese Maxey: A

Maxey was able to get into the paint and find ways to make things work for himself offensively. The Bulls don’t have any legitimate defenders out on the perimeter and Maxey was able to put his head down, get into the paint, and make things happen for himself and his teammates. The 3-point shot wasn’t highly efficient, but Maxey finding ways to score in the mid-range and at the basket is a big help for this group. He was fantastic as a catch-and-shoot option as he continues to grow that aspect of his game. He had some big defensive moments as he helped Philadelphia in a number of ways.

VJ Edgecombe: B-plus

The Sixers need Edgecombe to be that perimeter player who crashes the glass. He has done so consistently all season, but his rebounding has been down as of late. It was good to see him get back after it in this one. The Bulls were unable to track him down in terms of box outs and Philadelphia was able to feast on him getting second looks. He also knocked down some big 3s in the early going to help spark this Sixers offense. He made another big shot in the second half as Philadelphia was able to extend its lead.

Jaylen Brown: A

When the Sixers are in need of a bucket, Brown has done a great job of filling that role. There were many instances in the early going when he would just muscle up any Bulls defender and go to work against him. The 5-time All-Star is so skilled and has so much size and strength that he can just rise up over defenders with a soft touch. That’s when Brown is at his best. All afternoon long, he got to his spots on the offensive end and he took advantage of the looks he was able to receive. He is still the new guy here, but he has been terrific on the offensive end as he finds his niche in Philadelphia.

LeBron James: A

There were a couple of turnovers early that the Bulls then used to come up with some easy buckets on their end. However, after that slow start, James was terrific. He took the younger Bulls off the dribble and showed off his old man game in this one. He had a couple of nice moves in the post that led to him getting into a rhythm offensively. He carried the offense in the second quarter and he really gave the Sixers a big spark when the Bulls built a lead in the early going. His ability to get into the paint, use his strength, and get looks at the basket was helpful for to get the offense into a rhythm. Not a big rebound or assist night for James, but he was terrific as a scorer and on the defensive end.

Joel Embiid: A-minus

One has to wonder if the 3-point misses are beginning to get to Embiid mentally. The big fella has been struggling with his 3-point shot, but he can’t be passing up any open looks he receives within this offense. Embiid is too important in that sense not to take open looks. Overall, Embiid had a solid game. He was able to finish in the paint, rebound effectively, and make plays with his passing. The Sixers need him to continue taking open looks, however. No matter how long this shooting slump continues, he needs to let it fly as he works his way back into a rhythm.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: A

The veteran was absolutely terrific in this one. Caldwell-Pope entered the game and he was able to wreak havoc defensively. He came up with a steal and a block in his initial stint, forced a number of tough shots, was helpful on the glass, and he drilled a 3-pointer. This was a performance the Sixers need out of KCP on a nightly basis. He drilled a clutch 3 in the fourth to stem the tide for Philadelphia.

Jabari Walker: A

There are just so many moments where Walker hops off the bench and just produces. He was attacking the glass, had some good moments for himself defensively, and created extra possessions for the Sixers just by hustling. There are not a lot of criticisms of Walker’s game in this one. He did so many good things out on the floor.

Anfernee Simons: C-plus

Simons finally got something going in the third when he drilled an open 3 off an offensive rebound. It was a slow start for the sharpshooter, but the 3 he made was in a critical moment to help the Sixers extend their lead.

Dean Wade: B-minus

The Sixers were able to receive some solid minutes from Wade. He was able to provide a presence defensively at the point of attack. He passed up an open 3 on the offensive end, which is something that has to be addressed, but Wade did normal Wade things in this one. He was helpful.

This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Player grades: LeBron James, Sixers end road trip with win over Bulls