Upcoming Match-ups

76ers vs Bulls Odds and Picks

Eric Rosales

by Eric Rosales in NBA Basketball

Updated Nov 5, 2021 · 9:40 PM PDT

DeMar DeRozan and Joel Embiid talking
Nov 3, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) reacts with Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan (11) after blocking his shot in the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
  • The Chicago Bulls try to snap an 8-game skid to the Philadelphia 76ers Saturday night
  • Philadelphia has reeled off five straight wins and is in first in the East
  • The odds and matchups can be found below with a prediction

Considering how much of a non-factor they’ve been in recent years, the Chicago Bulls might be the best story so far in the NBA.

But they’ll have to share that spotlight some in the East with the Philadelphia 76ers, who have picked up right where they left off a season ago, despite a rash of injuries dotting their roster, and includes the dizzying Ben Simmons drama.

These two teams will meet for the second time in the last four days Saturday night in Chicago, with tip-off going at 8pm ET the United Center. Both local NBC affiliates will be carrying the game.

The surging 76ers handed the Bulls just their second loss of the season Wednesday, picking up their fifth straight win. Still, oddsmakers have pegged the home side as slight 3-point favorites in their second meeting of the season.

76ers vs Bulls Odds

Team Moneyline Spread Total
Philadelphia 76ers +128 +3 (-108) Ov 210.5 (-110)
Chicago Bulls -152 -3 (-112) Un 210.5 (-110)

Odds as of Nov 5 at FanDuel

76ers’ Recent Results

For all his coaching shortcomings, credit Doc Rivers for building a program that allows role players to slide seamlessly into the next-man up spots.

Philadelphia has been without starters Tobias Harris (COVID protocols) and Danny Green (hamstring) and haven’t skipped a beat. Last time out, they dominated an overmatched Pistons’ squad to the tune of 109-98.

Joel Embiid was the center of attention, and had 19 points, nine rebounds and three dimes, but it was the complimentary pieces who really shined. Seth Curry had a team-high 23 points, which included a 4-for-8 mark from downtown, while Tyrese Maxey chipped in 20 points, five assists and four boards.

Shake Milton was the fourth of five starters to hit double digits, dropping 16 points, eight rebounds and five dimes.

It was much of the same Wednesday night in a 103-98 win over these same Bulls. Embiid was again the offensive hub, dropping 18 points, nine boards and seven helpers, but four other players chipped in double-digit points, led by Curry, who had a team-high 22 points, with five rebounds and three assists.

The Sixers have been extra stingy on defense: they’ve held their opposition to under 100 points in three of their last four games, and during this five-game fun run, the most points they’ve allowed is 103.

Chicago’s Recent Results

There’s likely no better script a Bulls fan could have hoped for to start this campaign. Chicago is 6-2, third in the East, and has nice signature wins over the Raptors, Jazz and Celtics — a win that needed clawing out from under a 19-point second half hole on the road.

Still, a win over Philly would have also done wonders for them, as they have now dropped eight straight decisions to the 76ers.

The Bulls put together a winnable performance, but falling behind early by 10 kept them off balance for much of the contest. DeMar DeRozan was a problem all night, scoring 37 points and adding 10 boards.

He has now led the team in scoring in three straight. Zach LaVine added 27 points and nine assists of his own, but Lonzo Ball was the only other Bull to crack double-digits in scoring.

Like Philly, Chicago might want to get their big man into the action a little more. Nikola Vucevic had only seven field goal attempts despite playing 36 minutes. He finished with four points and 10 boards.

It was Vucevic’s first single-game point output this year, but he’s struggled, shooting 38.9% from the field, and 28.1% from deep.

76ers vs Bulls Trends

The Bulls are a crisp 6-2 ATS, tied with four teams with the best mark in the NBA. While they rank in the bottom half in scoring at 17th (108.3 points per game), they are a top-5 team shooting from the field, and sixth from downtown.

Their much-improved defense has made the difference, as they are surrendering just 101.3 points per game this year, which is the fifth-best mark in the league, holding teams to 43.8% shooting (8th).

The 76ers are right there defensively, holding teams to 102.3 points per contest, and right behind the Bulls in field goal defense in ninth (43.9%).

They’re just outside the top 10 in scoring, at 110.8 points per game, and rank first in the NBA in shooting at 49.3% from the field, and 38.5% from deep. Philly is also 6-3 ATS, and 3-1 ATS on the road.

One place where they both struggle is defending the 3-point line. Chicago is just 23rd in 3-point FG defense (35.8%), while Philly is 18th, surrendering a 34.4% rate.

What’s the Best Bet?

The 76ers have proved they have staying power, so long as Embiid can stay healthy. Expect it to be a close one throughout, with DeRozan and LaVine having to shine to keep the Chicago offense flowing.

While I like the Bulls to exact revenge, the under looks to be very enticing between these two scrappy sides.

The Pick: Bulls -3 (-112) & UNDER 210.5 (-110)

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