NBA: Philadelphia 76ers vs Chicago Bulls (12/26/25)

Game Preview

Philadelphia 76ers vs Chicago Bulls has the feel of a matchup that can flip quickly based on who controls tempo and who wins the shot-quality battle. Chicago has been playing a faster brand of basketball in recent action, while Philadelphia has leaned into a more methodical pace that can travel well. The spotlight is also on availability, with a major status note looming for Philadelphia that could reshape how both teams attack the paint and the glass. With both teams showing betting relevance lately, this one sets up as a tight, possession-by-possession finish.

Game Information

Date	Friday, December 26, 2025
Tip-Off	7:30 PM EST
Location	United Center, Chicago, Illinois
Broadcast	Check local listings

Injury Report

Chicago Bulls Injuries

• Out: None reported
• Doubtful: None reported
• Questionable: Patrick Williams

Philadelphia 76ers Injuries

• Out: None reported
• Doubtful: None reported
• Questionable: Joel Embiid, VJ Edgecombe, Dominick Barlow, Quentin Grimes

Player Impact Summary: Chicago’s availability note is graded as minimal, with a usage-weighted impact of -2.1 and no critical injuries flagged. Philadelphia carries more uncertainty with a larger combined availability impact of -2.9, and the questionable tag on a high-leverage star creates the biggest variance in how efficient the 76ers can be on both ends.

Pace & Efficiency Matchup

Philadelphia 76ers

Philadelphia has played at a slower tempo lately, running at a 97.7 pace, which tends to compress scoring runs and keep spreads tight. Offensively, their shot-making has been closer to average, with a 49.1% effective field goal percentage and 55.4% true shooting in recent action. They do take care of the ball with only 11.4 turnovers per game, and they’ve generated extra chances with a strong 32.6% offensive rebounding rate. Three-point volume is healthy at 37.2 attempts per game, supporting a stable floor if the glass work travels.

Chicago Bulls

Chicago’s recent profile is built on tempo and elite finishing: they’ve played at a 104.4 pace and posted a scorching 59.8% effective field goal percentage and 62.3% true shooting. That combination points to consistently high-quality looks, especially when they’re getting into early offense. The Bulls are also willing to let it fly, averaging 40.2 three-point attempts per game with a 43.0% three-point attempt rate, which raises the ceiling (and some variance). Ball security is middle-of-the-pack at 13.0 turnovers per game, so their best path is keeping shot volume high without gifting live-ball mistakes.

Edge: The pace gap is significant, and if Chicago can impose its faster style, it amplifies the impact of its recent shooting efficiency advantage. Philadelphia’s best counter is controlling possessions with low turnover play and second-chance points, but Chicago’s current shot-making form gives the home side the cleaner path to a points-per-possession edge.

Rest & Travel Analysis

Factor	Philadelphia 76ers	Chicago Bulls
Miles Traveled (L10)	2,884	3,031
Timezone Jumps	2	4
Travel Fatigue Index	5.73	8.62
Back-to-Back?	No	No

Fatigue Edge: Philadelphia gets the travel nod, with fewer timezone changes and a lower travel fatigue index, which typically supports defensive energy and late-game execution. Chicago’s recent travel load is heavier for a home team profile, so the Bulls need their offensive rhythm early to avoid letting fatigue show up as missed rotations or sloppy turnovers.

Lineup Synergy & Ref Tendencies

Synergy Score: Philadelphia 76ers: 4.0 | Chicago Bulls: 6.6

Synergy Edge: Chicago’s rotations have graded better recently, suggesting cleaner lineup pairings and more reliable two-way combinations when benches mix in.

Referee Edge: Home Ref Impact: 0.1 | Away Ref Impact: 0.1 | Net Edge: 0.0

The officiating signal is essentially neutral, with only a slight lean toward the home side that’s small enough to matter mainly in a one-possession game.

Why Philadelphia 76ers Covers

Philadelphia’s case starts with pace control. If the 76ers can keep this closer to their recent 97.7 tempo, they reduce the total number of high-variance possessions and make it harder for Chicago’s three-point heavy approach to separate. They also have a strong second-chance profile, highlighted by a 32.6% offensive rebounding rate, which can punish any Bulls slippage on the defensive glass and create efficient put-backs and kick-out threes. Add in cleaner ball security at 11.4 turnovers per game, and Philadelphia has a recipe to win the possession battle. Finally, their travel situation is steadier than Chicago’s, with a lower travel fatigue index and fewer timezone jumps, which can show up late if this turns into a half-court execution game.

Why Chicago Bulls Covers

Chicago’s argument is the most straightforward: shot quality and scoring pressure. In recent action, the Bulls have been elite in efficiency with a 59.8% effective field goal percentage and 62.3% true shooting, and they’re pairing that with a fast 104.4 pace that creates extra scoring chances. They also lean into modern shot selection, posting a 43.0% three-point attempt rate while taking 40.2 threes per game, which can quickly overwhelm opponents if the first wave of attempts falls. The rotation data also favors Chicago, with a synergy score of 6.6 versus Philadelphia’s 4.0, suggesting the Bulls have been more stable when lineups change. If Philadelphia’s key questionable player is limited or sits, Chicago’s path to sustained offense becomes even cleaner.

The Pick

Chicago Bulls ML (-102)