The Philadelphia 76ers head to the United Center for a rematch at 3:30 PM ET Sunday, Nov. 8, against the Chicago Bulls. For bettors analyzing this matchup and searching for a reliable 76ers vs Bulls preview, the early-season form balance was stacked 7-1 against the 76ers, making this betting outcome a result of a recent dominant matchup, a young Bulls team, and the early season randomness that makes this game a bet you can’t depend on simply too much.
The two just played six days ago. The Bulls lost their sixth game of the season to the 76ers 126-107 on Nov. 2 in Philadelphia. This matchup brings home-court advantage to Chicago, but their overall form difference remains the same.
Philadelphia has been a surprise, going 6-7 and five games unbeaten since the Nov. 2 victory over Chicago. The team’s lineup is different than a year ago, as the 76ers were awarded the services of Jaylen Brown via a July trade with Boston to get Paul George, and then brought in LeBron James in free agency after he left the Lakers with a two-year contract. Led by Tyrese Maxey, the team has scored around 30 points a game in the early going while LeBron James has provided well-rounded production alongside Brown and center Joel Embiid (close to 9.5 rebounds and 6.0 assists a night).
On the injury front, Embiid (foot) is a game-time decision and should be checked again on the day of the game. Dominick Barlow (lumbar spine bone stress response) is out and will be back by Nov. 8. Ariel Hukporti is sidelined for the season after ruptured Achilles tendon. None of those is likely to do much to affect the rotation at the top of the league in Philadelphia.
Out of the gate, the game has been tough for Chicago with five losses since the season opener to Toronto, back-to-back tries at home to Boston and Sunday’s 126-107 defeat at the hands of this same Philadelphia squad. Josh Giddey has been the powerhouse of the offense as a playmaker, leader in assists, while Coby White, Nikola Vucevic and Matas Buzelis all have played an important part in the rotation. As of this writing, no Chicago player is on the list of the team’s injuries, so it’s more of a performance than health issue with the Bulls’ 1-6 record, which is why it’s best to check the injury report before tip-off of the same day as we are a game a day removed.
| Player | Team | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Tyrese Maxey | 76ers | Team’s leading scorer (~30 PPG) and primary shot-creator out of the backcourt |
| LeBron James | 76ers | Signed with Philadelphia in free agency after 22 seasons with Cleveland and the Lakers; contributing nearly a rebound-assist double-double most nights |
| Jaylen Brown | 76ers | Acquired from Boston in the July trade that sent Paul George to the Celtics; adds two-way wing scoring |
| Joel Embiid | 76ers | Game-time decision (foot) for Nov. 8; his health remains the single biggest swing factor for Philadelphia’s frontcourt |
| Josh Giddey | Bulls | Chicago’s primary playmaker and the team’s assists leader |
| Coby White | Bulls | Backcourt scoring option tasked with carrying more of the offensive load during the slow start |
| Nikola Vucevic | Bulls | Veteran interior presence and rebounding anchor |
This will be a fast-paced repeat of a blown-out game that was less than a week ago, and will have a built-in script: can a shorthanded, lackluster Bulls squad bounce back at their home court after getting run down in Philly? The 76ers’ offseason reshuffle, which saw them sign two big-time players — LeBron James and Paul George — in the summer, is the story of their opening night, and Sunday’s outing will be another sign of how successful their roster overhaul will be beyond a hot opening week and a half.
The larger narrative going into Chicago is structural: They start their season 1-6 and there’s not a lot of health to worry about right now, but fit and execution are a bigger challenge to overcome on a six-day rotation.
Through eight games, Philadelphia 76ers is the more complete team and the blowout victory at the buzzer last week confirmed that. This isn’t to say Philadelphia isn’t a good bet on the road, as the United Center provides some padding for Chicago, but it is a home game. However, since the Bulls have yet to win any of their last six games and the 76ers are running a more experienced, revamped team, the advantage here goes to the 76ers by a small road margin.
The offense has been underperforming in blowout defeats this season, and has been an area where the Bears need to be discussed as a favorite in the total game. These two are not ironclad, as eight-game and seven-game samples are still volatile, home teams have an advantage, and the short turnaround could impact either way, but the data points are currently stronger in one direction than the other.
Best bet lean: 76ers cover a small road spread, and a secondary lean on the Over.
The Philadelphia team comes into the city of Chicago with a 7-1 record and a “defining moment” decision from the previous week against the same opponent, while the Bulls remain without answers at 1-6, with a healthy squad. In any 76ers vs Bulls breakdown, the gap, coupled with the 76ers’ blowout victory a few days ago, suggests a slight advantage for the 76ers, but the turnaround is a short one and early season fluctuation is to be expected. Be sure to read the final injury report and line movement before placing.
The 76ers play the Chicago Bulls on the road at the United Center, tipping off at 3:30 PM ET.
Yes. This rematch came six days after Philadelphia defeated Chicago at home by a score of 126-107 on Nov. 2.
Embiid at this time is a game time decision due to an injury on his foot. Look at the official NBA injury report on game day before placing a wager on him.
Philadelphia acquired Paul George from the Lakers in return for Jaylen Brown and signed LeBron to a free agency.
The current head-to-head game is a glass-half empty for Philadelphia, and based on early season form, there is a slight road house edge there as well.
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