Philadelphia 76ers vs Chicago Bulls Betting Pick & Prediction 12/8/24
The 76ers are 1-point underdogs in this Eastern Conference matchup against the Bulls. Philadelphia is 13th in the East and has a 6-15 record. The Bulls are 10th in the East and have a 10-14 record.
This game will be played at the United Center in Chicago. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 ET. You can watch the game on NBCS.
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS VS CHICAGO BULLS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Philadelphia 76ers +1
This game will be played at United Center at 1:00 ET on Sunday, December 8th.
WHY BET THE PHILADELPHIA 76ERS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 156-133 in favor of the 76ers.
- Our projections have Joel Embiid finishing with 31 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists.
- From the field, we have the 76ers finishing with a field goal percentage of 44.7% and knocking down 17 threes.
Can the 76ers Pull Off a Win at Chicago?
Philadelphia improved to 6-15 on the season with a 102-94 win over the Magic on Friday. Despite being +3 point underdogs, the 76ers covered the spread at home. The game’s total points of 196 fell short of the 209 O/U line.
A key 12-0 run by the 76ers turned the game in their favor, as they went from trailing 27-25 to leading 37-27. They held Orlando to 14 points in the 2nd quarter and entered the 4th with a 71-59 lead, holding off a late Magic rally.
Paul George led the 76ers with 21 points and 9 assists in their win over the Magic, shooting 42.1% from the field and hitting 2 threes at 28.6%. Kenyon Martin Jr. added 20 points, connecting on 90% of his shots.
Philadelphia struggled from beyond the arc, making just 7 threes at a 26.9% clip, but shot 48.1% overall. George and Guerschon Yabusele each scored 9 points in the 4th quarter, while Tyrese Maxey added 5 of his 16 points late.
The 76ers put on a defensive clinic in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, holding the Magic to just 14 and 18 points, respectively, in their 102-94 win. Even though they gave up 35 points in the 4th, they still managed to keep Orlando under 100 points. Philadelphia held the Magic to 42% shooting from the field.
From beyond the arc, the 76ers limited the Magic to 13 threes on 28% shooting. They also sent Orlando to the free-throw line 17 times, where the Magic made 15. Philadelphia finished with 27 defensive rebounds, allowing 8 offensive boards, and recorded 11 steals.
Will the Bulls Live Up to Expectations at Home?
The Bulls dropped to 10-14 on the season after a 132-123 home loss to the Pacers on Friday. Chicago entered the game as +3.5 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The total score of 255 points exceeded the pre-game O/U line of 248.5 by 6.5 points.
Chicago started strong, leading 35-31 after the 1st quarter, but a poor 2nd quarter saw them outscored 36-19. They battled back in the 3rd, winning the quarter 39-36, but entered the 4th down 103-93. Despite a 30-29 edge in the final period, they couldn’t complete the comeback.
Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 32 points and 5 threes, shooting 54.5% from the field in their loss to the Pacers. Coby White added 19 points and 9 assists, though he shot just 36.8%, hitting 4 threes at 33.3%. Ayo Dosunmu contributed 15 points, connecting on 3 threes at 60% efficiency.
Chicago made 21 threes as a team, shooting 42% from deep and 47.4% overall. LaVine scored 16 points in the 3rd quarter, while White added 9 points in the 4th.
The Bulls struggled defensively on Friday, giving up 132 points to the Pacers, who shot 56% from the field. Chicago allowed 31 points in the 1st quarter and 36 in both the 2nd and 3rd, before holding Indiana to 29 points in the 4th.
From beyond the arc, the Pacers hit 18 threes at a 60% clip. The Bulls sent Indiana to the line 12 times, where they made 10 free throws. Chicago finished with 30 defensive rebounds, while allowing 7 offensive boards, and added 8 steals and 6 blocks.