Another big test looms large for second-year head coach Billy Donovan and the Chicago Bulls on the night of Nov. 3. The Bulls are getting set to take on the Philadelphia 76ers on the road on Nov. 3 in the first of two straight meetings between these two teams this week. The second of two meetings between the Bulls and Sixers this week will take place at the United Center in Chicago on Nov. 6.
But the Sixers and head coach Doc Rivers will be even more shorthanded than usual against the Bulls on Nov. 3, and likely on Nov. 6. The Sixers look like they will be missing standout forward Tobias Harris against the Bulls on Nov. 3 after he reportedly tested positive for COVID-19.
Harris is apparently vaccinated but still tested positive for COVID-19. He is set to miss at least 10 days in all likelihood for the Sixers now. As previously mentioned, that will likely rule him out both times that the Bulls face the Sixers in the next few days.
Chicago Bulls reportedly set to face Sixers without Tobias Harris
#Sixers PF Tobias Harris received a positive COVID-19 test, according to sources. He will miss at least 10 days. This is sad for the vaccinated player, who took all the proper precautions to remain safe.
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) November 3, 2021
This now leaves Rivers and the Sixers very shorthanded against one of the rising teams in the Eastern Conference in the Bulls. Granted, the Sixers were already without Harris in their Nov. 1 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. So this will not be all that different for them without both Harris and star point guard Ben Simmons against the Bulls on two occasions this week.
The Sixers were also missing Simmons in every game so far this season. The situation between the Sixers’ organization and Simmons, who is still holding out, doesn’t look to be getting any better right now.
In the absence of both Harris and Simmons, the Bulls are likely going to see a lot of Seth Curry, Matisse Thybulle, and Tyrese Maxey. That is on top of the already heavy dose of Joel Embiid and Andre Drummond that you would expect anyway.
What the Sixers are missing with Harris out is a forward who is averaging around 20 points per game, nine rebounds, and four assists. And he’s shot around 54 percent from the field, 32 percent from beyond the arc, and 90 percent from the free-throw line.
The Bulls head into this first meeting with the Sixers with a record of 6-1 following their impressive 128-114 comeback win over the Boston Celtics on the road on Nov. 1. Meanwhile, the Sixers come into this game sporting a record of 5-2. Tip-off time between the Bulls and Sixers is set for 6 p.m. CT at the Wells Fargo Center in Philly on Nov. 3.