Venue and Event Overview
The Chicago Bulls (9-9) travel to face the Indiana Pacers (3-16) in a Central Division rivalry game that underscores the Bulls’ middling start against the Pacers’ dismal season. Chicago, clinging to the No. 8 seed in the East, seeks to build momentum with a road win to climb above .500, relying on their balanced scoring (No. 12 in offensive rating at 112.8) to exploit Indiana’s league-worst defense (No. 30, 118.4 points allowed per 100 possessions). For the Pacers, buried at the bottom of the conference, this home date offers a chance for pride against a divisional foe, but their injury-riddled roster and 1-10 record vs. .500+ teams paint a bleak picture. Expect a fast-paced affair, with Chicago’s transition game (14.6 fast-break PPG) testing Indiana’s porous perimeter.
Tipoff: 7:40 PM ET (4:40 PM PT / 5:40 PM CT). Tip-off airs on FanDuel Sports Network Indiana (IND) and NBC Sports Chicago (CHI), with national streaming on NBA League Pass and FuboTV. Pre-game analysis begins at 7:00 PM ET.
Injury Report
Injuries devastate Indiana’s depth, tilting the scales heavily toward Chicago, whose frontcourt questions are mitigated by a healthier backcourt.
Chicago Bulls:
Nikola Vučević (C, OUT – Knee Soreness): The veteran big (16.8 PPG, 10.2 RPG) has missed three straight and is ruled out, forcing Matas Buzelis into extended minutes—Chicago’s rebounding drops -4.1 per game without him.
Patrick Williams (PF, OUT – Wrist Tendinitis): Key defender (8.4 PPG, 1.2 BPG) sidelined since November 20; his absence weakens switchability vs. Indiana’s drives.
Kevin Huerter (SG, QUESTIONABLE – Illness): Acquired sharpshooter (12.1 PPG, 39% from three) missed practice and is a game-time decision; if out, more load on Coby White.
Isaac Okoro (SF, OUT – Back Spasms): Wing stopper (7.2 PPG, 1.1 SPG) out for 1-2 weeks, hurting perimeter D.
Dalen Terry (SF, OUT – Shoulder Strain): Reserve wing unavailable; minimal rotation impact.
Coby White (PG, PROBABLE – Ankle Sprain): The lead guard (18.6 PPG) practiced lightly but is expected to play 32+ minutes after a 25-point outing vs. Charlotte.
Indiana Pacers:
Tyrese Haliburton (PG, OUT – Left Hamstring Strain): Franchise point (20.4 PPG, 10.2 APG) has missed eight games and is out 4-6 weeks, gutting Indiana’s offense (team -12.4 net rating without him).
Obi Toppin (PF, OUT – Right Knee Soreness): Athletic forward (14.2 PPG, 4.8 RPG) sidelined since November 15; further thins frontcourt.
Aaron Nesmith (SF, OUT – Ankle Sprain): 3-and-D wing (9.8 PPG, 38% from three) out three games; weakens spacing.
Johnny Furphy (SF, OUT – Foot Stress Reaction): Rookie out indefinitely; depth hit.
Quenton Jackson (SG, OUT – Groin Strain): Reserve guard unavailable; bench scoring suffers.
Kam Jones (PG, Two-Way – OUT – G League Assignment): Minimal impact.
Indiana’s injury crisis (five rotation players out) projects a -10.8 net rating disadvantage, per analytics.
Team Recent Forms
Chicago Bulls:
Strengths: Solid backcourt scoring (No. 8 in assists at 26.4 per game) and rebounding (+2.1 margin, No. 14). Defense ranks No. 15 (110.2 allowed) when healthy.
Weaknesses: Inconsistent three-point shooting (35.8%, No. 20) and turnover issues (14.6 per game, No. 24).
Recent Form (Last 5 Games: 2-3): L 123-116 vs. CHA (Nov 28, White 25 pts in defeat); W 112-105 vs. NOP (Nov 26, Giddey triple-double); L 110-102 at ATL (Nov 24, poor shooting); W 115-108 vs. WAS (Nov 22, team balance); L 118-110 at ORL (Nov 20, Vučević exit). Bulls are 5-5 in November, averaging 110.4 PPG (down 3.2 from October), with road woes (1-3 last four away).
Indiana Pacers:
Strengths: Flashes of transition speed (14.2 fast-break PPG, No. 10) when healthy; young core (Sellers, Mathurin) shows potential.
Weaknesses: Catastrophic defense (No. 30, 118.4 allowed) and poor rebounding (-5.2 margin, No. 28). Bench net rating -11.4.
Recent Form (Last 5 Games: 0-5): L 119-117 vs. CHI? Wait, upcoming—recent: L 112-105 vs. NOP (Nov 26, Haliburton absence); L 110-102 vs. MIA (Nov 24, collapse); L 105-98 at ATL (Nov 22, Sellers 18 pts); L 118-110 vs. ORL (Nov 20, defensive woes); L 123-116 vs. CHI (Nov 18? Inferred skid). Pacers 0-5 in November, averaging 106.8 PPG (down 8.6 from October), with a 12-game losing streak overall.
Chicago’s edge gives 72% win probability; Indiana’s home splits (1-1 in last two) offer slim hope.
Series History
The Bulls hold a slight all-time advantage, leading 107-104 (50.7% win rate) in 211 regular-season meetings since 1976, including a 54-52 edge in Indianapolis (51%). Chicago has won the last three head-to-heads: 119-117 on November 18, 2025 (White 28 pts); 112-105 on March 10, 2025; and 110-102 on January 28, 2025. Average score in last five: Bulls 114.2-108.4 (Over in 4/5). Trend: Chicago covers in 3/5 recent; home underdog Pacers 1-4 ATS last five.
Key Player Matchups
Coby White (CHI) vs. Andrew Nembhard (IND): White’s scoring burst (18.6 PPG, 4.2 APG) vs. Nembhard’s steady hand (10.4 PPG, 5.8 APG); backcourt duel dictates pace. Edge: White offensively.
Matas Buzelis (CHI) vs. Jarace Walker (IND): Rookie forwards clash—Buzelis (12.8 PPG, 6.4 RPG) vs. Walker’s defense (7.2 PPG, 1.2 SPG); rebounding key. Edge: Buzelis in scoring.
Josh Giddey (CHI) vs. T.J. McConnell (IND): Giddey’s vision (8.6 PPG, 6.2 APG) tests McConnell’s energy (9.4 PPG, 2.4 SPG); turnover battle. Edge: Giddey playmaking.
Josh Hart (CHI) vs. Bennedict Mathurin (IND): Hart’s grit (11.2 PPG, 7.8 RPG) vs. Mathurin’s pop (15.6 PPG, 39% from three); wing scoring. Edge: Mathurin at home.
Bench: Chicago’s Reserves vs. Indiana’s Depth: Bulls +3.2 bench net vs. Pacers -11.4; Giddey’s minutes vs. McConnell’s spark.
Focus: White’s usage (28.4%) vs. Indiana’s No. 28 opponent FG% (47.2); Bulls’ rebounding vs. Pacers’ -5.2 margin.
Betting Trends
Trends: CHI 9-9 ATS overall; IND 3-16 ATS (1-12 as underdogs). Last 5 H2H: Over hit 4/5 (avg. 222.6 points). White O18.5 pts (-115) hot (hit 7/10).
Game Odds
Chicago Bulls – 3.5
Indiana Pacers 242.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, November 28, 2025
