Chicago Bulls vs Philadelphia-76ers January 25th 2025

At 8:00 ET, the Bulls (-163) will host the 76ers (+138) at the United Center in Chicago. The Bulls are currently favored by 3.5 points, and the over/under line is set at 231.5.

Philadelphia is 16-27 on the season and sits 11th in the Eastern Conference, while Chicago is 19-26 and 10th in the East. NBCS will broadcast the game.

Register Today!

76ers vs. Bulls Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Philadelphia 76ers at Chicago Bulls
• Where: Chicago at United Center
• Date: Saturday, January 25th
• Betting Odds CHI -3.5, PHI +138 | CHI -163 O/U 231.5

The 76ers Can Win If…

Philadelphia improved to 16-27 on the season with a 132-129 win over the Cavaliers on Friday. The 76ers were +9 point underdogs but pulled off the upset at home. The total score of 261 points went over the pre-game line of 229.5 by 31.5 points.

After falling behind in the 2nd quarter, the 76ers took a 98-96 lead into the 4th. A key 13-0 run helped them extend the lead from 116-111 to 124-116, and they held on for the win, outscoring the Cavaliers 34-33 in the final period.

The 76ers put up 132 points in their win over the Cavaliers, shooting 50.6% from the field and hitting 21 threes at a 53.8% clip. Paul George led the way with 30 points, knocking down 6 threes, while Tyrese Maxey added 29 points and 7 assists, connecting on 4 threes.

George scored 14 of his points in the 3rd quarter, while Maxey had 14 in the 1st. Kelly Oubre contributed 22 points and 13 rebounds, with 9 points coming in the 3rd quarter.

Even with a rough defensive outing, the 76ers managed to secure a win against the Cavaliers, despite giving up 129 points. Philadelphia allowed 33 points in both the 1st and 4th quarters and 34 in the 2nd. Their best defensive effort came in the 3rd, where they gave up 29 points.

The 76ers struggled to defend the perimeter, allowing Cleveland to hit 25 threes at a 48% clip. The Cavaliers also shot 50% from the field overall. Philadelphia sent Cleveland to the line 19 times, where they made 14 free throws. The 76ers finished with 9 steals and 6 blocks.

• Across the 76ers last three road games, the team averaged 106 points per game while allowing 127. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 0-3, while going 0-3 straight-up.
• The last five games that Philadelphia was the underdog, they have an ATS mark of 1-4 while going 1-4 straight up.
• Over their last five games, the 76ers have an over/under record of 4-1 and are 1-4 vs. the spread.

The Bulls Can Win If…

The Bulls dropped to 19-26 on the season after a 131-106 road loss to the Warriors on Thursday. Chicago entered the game as +4 point underdogs but failed to cover the spread, losing by 25 points. The total score of 237 points went over the pre-game line of 232.5.

Chicago started strong, leading 33-30 after the 1st quarter, but a 10-0 run by the Warriors shifted momentum. The Bulls were outscored 33-31 in the 2nd quarter, 31-16 in the 3rd, and 37-26 in the 4th, as Golden State pulled away.

The Bulls struggled offensively in their loss to the Warriors, shooting just 39.1% from the field. However, they connected on 16 threes, hitting 40% from beyond the arc.

Zach LaVine led the way with 24 points, including 14 in the 2nd quarter. Josh Giddey added 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Ayo Dosunmu chipped in 13 points, scoring 8 in the opening period.

Defensively, the Bulls struggled against the Warriors, giving up 131 points in the loss. Chicago allowed at least 30 points in every quarter, including 37 in the 4th. Golden State shot 45% from the field.

The Bulls had trouble defending the three, as the Warriors hit 25 threes at a 43% clip. Chicago also sent Golden State to the line 14 times, where they made all their free throws. The Bulls finished with 32 defensive rebounds, 7 steals, and 2 blocks.

• Across the Bulls last five home games, the team averaged 108 points per game while allowing 119. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 1-4, while going 1-4 straight-up.
• Spanning across their last ten games as the betting favorite, the Bulls have gone 3-6-1 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 4-6.
• In their last three games, the Bulls have an over/under record of 1-2 and are 0-3 vs. the spread.

The Lean

For today’s matchup we are recommending to take the Bulls to secure the win, with an expected final score of 118-107. When it comes to the spread, we believe they’ll cover at -3.5.

Right now, the over/under line for the game is sitting at 231.5 and given that our model is projecting 225 points between the teams, we like the under.

Daily NBA Picks & Predictions

Bulls Aim to Rebound, While 76ers Seek to Build Momentum

The Chicago Bulls and Philadelphia 76ers find themselves at opposite ends of recent form, setting the stage for an intriguing Eastern Conference clash on Saturday night. As the Bulls grapple with inconsistency and try to stabilize their playoff hopes, the 76ers aim to extend their momentum after snapping a seven-game losing streak.

Bulls: Searching for Consistency Amid Frustration

The Bulls’ recent struggles have been a tale of highs and lows. They’ve demonstrated their potential with wins over Eastern Conference heavyweights like the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks, but those moments have been offset by disheartening performances, including Thursday’s 25-point loss to the Golden State Warriors.

“Definitely frustrating being a competitor knowing we’ve shown we can [succeed],” said guard Ayo Dosunmu. “Not just once, but several occasions. Then you get excitement and understand that (maybe) you’re real close to being a really good basketball team consistently.”

The Bulls currently sit in 10th place in the Eastern Conference, just two games ahead of the 76ers. However, this position is precarious. Chicago must focus on climbing the standings instead of teetering on the edge of playoff contention.

Zach LaVine: Leading the Charge

Bulls star Zach LaVine has been a bright spot amidst the team’s turbulence. On Thursday, LaVine reached a career milestone, becoming only the sixth player in franchise history to score at least 10,000 points with the Bulls. He led Chicago with 30 points in their last meeting against the 76ers and is averaging 24 points per game this season.

Despite LaVine’s stellar contributions, inconsistency has plagued the team. After a promising first half against Golden State, where Chicago led 64-63 at halftime, the second half unraveled, exposing defensive lapses and a lack of cohesion.

“I think we’ve been very inconsistent, especially lately,” said center Nikola Vucevic. “We just don’t do the stuff we need to do to win games.”

76ers: Riding the Wave of Momentum

In contrast, the Philadelphia 76ers are buzzing after a thrilling 132-129 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, the top team in the Eastern Conference. That win snapped a seven-game losing streak and showcased the team’s offensive firepower.

Paul George and Tyrese Maxey led the charge, combining for 59 points. Maxey’s performance was particularly noteworthy, as he added seven assists to his 29 points, displaying both scoring ability and playmaking skills.

“They’ve got to be aggressive. They have to be aggressive, because they draw a lot of attention,” said veteran guard Eric Gordon. “They’ve got to get other guys open shots, and they’ve also got to score for themselves, so they’ve got to be creative.”

Shooting Success: 3-Point Excellence

A major factor in Philadelphia’s win was their season-high 21 3-pointers. George knocked down six triples, while Maxey and Gordon added four apiece. This uptick in shooting efficiency bodes well for a team that has occasionally struggled with offensive consistency during Joel Embiid’s absence.

“It feels good that we’re moving the ball, we’re making the extra effort to make the extra pass,” said Gordon. “It means a lot to our team, so we’ve got to go and try to get another win tomorrow.”

Head-to-Head Matchup: Key Storylines

The 76ers have won two straight games against the Bulls and six of their last ten meetings. In their last clash on Dec. 8, Philadelphia secured a 108-100 victory, with Joel Embiid delivering a dominant performance, posting 31 points and 12 rebounds. However, Embiid has been sidelined for 10 games due to a knee injury and will miss Saturday’s matchup, according to head coach Nick Nurse.

LaVine led Chicago in that December game with 30 points, while Maxey dazzled with 14 assists for the 76ers. The teams will meet twice more this season, with games scheduled in Philadelphia on Feb. 24 and April 13.

Keys to the Game

For the Bulls:

1. Defensive Focus: Chicago needs to lock down the perimeter to prevent another 3-point barrage from the 76ers.
2. Consistency from Start to Finish: The Bulls must maintain their intensity and execution throughout all four quarters.
3. LaVine’s Leadership: With LaVine in top form, the Bulls need to rally around his scoring and energy.

For the 76ers:

1. Sustaining Momentum: Philadelphia must replicate their ball movement and shooting success from the Cleveland game.
2. Stepping Up in Embiid’s Absence: Maxey and George need to lead the charge, both offensively and defensively.
3. Bench Contribution: The 76ers’ depth could be the deciding factor against a Bulls team eager to snap out of their slump.

Conclusion

Both teams have plenty at stake as they square off on Saturday night. For the Bulls, the focus is on regaining stability and turning flashes of brilliance into sustained success. Meanwhile, the 76ers are looking to build on their newfound momentum and climb the Eastern Conference standings.

Will Chicago rise to the occasion, or will Philadelphia’s sharpshooting and team play give them the edge? One thing’s for sure: this game will have postseason implications, and neither team can afford to let it slip away.