The Philadelphia 76ers travel to Chicago for a rematch of their Nov. 3 meeting, when Philadelphia beat the Bulls 126-107. The 76ers vs Bulls season series rematch tips off Sunday at United Center with Philadelphia sitting at 8-2 and Chicago at 1-7, losers of six straight. Philadelphia already leads the season series 1-0, and the Atlantic Division leaders look to extend that edge against a Central Division team searching for answers.
76ers Vs Bulls Game Information
- Date: Sunday, Nov. 8
- Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
- Venue: United Center, Chicago, IL
- Series: Philadelphia leads 1-0
Philadelphia holds the edge in shooting efficiency and ball security, outscoring opponents despite fewer total points per game. The Bulls turn the ball over nearly four more times a game than Philadelphia does, a gap that showed up directly in the teams’ first meeting.
Philadelphia 76ers Outlook
The 76ers sit atop the Atlantic Standings at 8-2, a half-game ahead of Boston, but they arrive off a 119-95 loss at Cleveland on Saturday that snapped a four-game winning streak. Tyrese Maxey leads the team at 26.9 points per game and also paces Philadelphia in the league’s rating category with 3.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.7 blocks per game. Joel Embiid anchors the frontcourt with 9.6 rebounds per game, while LeBron James leads the roster with 6.9 assists per game.
Philadelphia’s defense ranks among its strengths this season, with the 76ers out-rebounding opponents on the defensive glass at 32.8 per game and forcing more turnovers than they commit. Center Adem Bona is day-to-day with a back sprain, while Dominick Barlow (back fracture) and Ariel Hukporti (Achilles surgery) remain out, thinning the 76ers’ frontcourt depth behind Embiid.
Chicago Bulls Outlook
Chicago has dropped six consecutive games and sits last in the Central Standings at 1-7, five games back of division-leading Detroit. The Bulls have been outscored badly in that stretch, including losses of 134-99 to Boston and 135-105 at New York in their last five outings. Caleb Wilson leads Chicago in scoring at 19.5 points per game and tops the team’s rating category with 6.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.1 blocks per game. Josh Giddey leads the Bulls with 7.6 assists per game, and Jalen Smith paces the team on the boards at 7.8 rebounds per game, though Smith is listed as day-to-day with a hand injury.
Chicago’s injury report also includes center Nic Claxton, who is out with a hamstring strain, and forward Zach Collins, day-to-day with an illness. With Claxton sidelined, Chicago is expected to lean further on Jalen Smith and its frontcourt depth if Smith is available, though both his and Collins’ statuses remain projections until tipoff.
Key Matchup
Philadelphia’s ball control against Chicago’s leaky defense could decide the pace of this rematch. The 76ers average just 12.6 turnovers per game compared to Chicago’s 16.1, and Philadelphia’s defense has already forced 126 points worth of mistakes once this season in the teams’ first meeting. If Embiid and Maxey can continue generating efficient looks against a Bulls defense allowing 111.6 points per game, Philadelphia’s offense, which shoots 44.4% from the field compared to Chicago’s 41.2%, should find comfortable rhythm. Chicago’s path runs through forcing turnovers and getting out in transition behind Wilson and Giddey, the two players doing the most for a team that has lost six straight.
What To Watch
Philadelphia enters Sunday half a game ahead of Boston atop the Atlantic Standings, making every result relevant to the division race even this early in the season. For Chicago, snapping a six-game losing streak against a divisional contender like the 76ers would mark a notable turn after a 1-7 start. The 76ers also look to bounce back from Saturday’s loss at Cleveland, their first defeat since Oct. 26. Watch how Philadelphia’s frontcourt responds with Bona banged up, and whether Chicago can take advantage of a back-to-back spot for the 76ers.
Philadelphia’s recent form includes coverage of its 7-1 start and the 126-107 win over Chicago from the teams’ first meeting this season. Chicago, meanwhile, is coming off a loss detailed in the Bulls-Knicks preview from earlier in the week. The 76ers also recently handled the Pacers, as covered in the 76ers’ win over Indiana.
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