76ers vs Bulls

Tyrese Maxey and the 76ers come in off a narrow skid-busting loss stretch, but they’re still 6-4 over their last 10 while the Bulls’ four-game winning streak is built on hot shooting and some of the league’s leakiest defense. Chicago has been outscored on the season despite its surge, and while the United Center edge is real, Philadelphia’s 7-4 road mark plus an interior advantage with Andre Drummond and (if he goes) Joel Embiid gives them the higher ceiling in a tight game. The 76ers also have recent matchup equity, with Maxey already torching Chicago in this building last season with a 31-point, 9-assist line, even though the Bulls took this year’s first meeting by two. The injury report is noisy on both sides (Embiid and several Sixers wings banged up, Matas Buzelis day-to-day for Chicago), which keeps this from elite confidence, but at a flat -110 on both sides I slightly prefer Philadelphia’s top-end talent and defensive upside. I’ll back the 76ers moneyline at -110 for a B-grade play, balancing decent edge with meaningful roster volatility. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 26/12/2025 10:02

Chicago’s recent run has been pure fireworks, with a 152–150 shootout and a 126–123 win over Atlanta highlighting an offense averaging nearly 120 points per night but giving up about 123, while Josh Giddey, Coby White and Matas Buzelis are all stretching the floor at volume. On the other side, Maxey’s 31-point scoring average and Embiid’s recent 27-per-game run over his last 10 give Philadelphia enough firepower to punish a Bulls defense that struggles to contain dribble penetration and second-chance looks, especially if Drummond controls the glass. The first meeting finished at 224 points, but both sides are playing faster and looser now, and Chicago’s heavy three-point diet plus its inability to keep teams off the line set up a whistle-heavy, possession-rich environment. The main concern is Embiid’s knee (and broader Sixers health) capping minutes and slowing tempo, which dings confidence on such an inflated total, but the matchup still leans toward a track meet more often than not. I’ll take Over 238.5 at -110 with a B- grade, respecting the volatility that comes with such a high number. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 26/12/2025 10:02

Joel Embiid’s day-to-day tag adds some risk, but getting the 76ers at +1 when they own the better point differential, a stronger recent defensive profile (allowing about 111.5 per game over their last 10), and a 7-4 road record versus Chicago’s modest 7-6 home mark makes this number more attractive than the moneyline. The Bulls’ four-game heater has been fueled by extreme shotmaking from Giddey and their shooters, yet they’re still underwater on the season in net rating and reliant on outscoring teams rather than getting consistent stops, a tough formula against a Philly group that can throw Maxey–George–Embiid at them in crunch time. Chicago did steal the first matchup 113–111 and has frontcourt size with Nikola Vucevic, but the Sixers’ depth of creators plus their rebounding edge with Drummond should keep them within one even if Embiid’s minutes are somewhat capped. With the spread essentially acting as a cheap insurance policy against a one-point road loss in what projects as another tight finish, I like Philadelphia +1 at -115 for a B+ grade, slightly ahead of the straight moneyline in value. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 26/12/2025 10:02