The Chicago Bulls, scraping for relevance in a crowded Eastern Conference playoff race, host a dysfunctional Brooklyn Nets team that’s firmly entrenched in rebuild mode at the United Center. With Zach LaVine questionable but trending up, Chicago aims to exploit Brooklyn’s youth and inexperience, while the Nets—led by a surging Cam Thomas—seek to build on recent grit against a Bulls squad inconsistent on both ends. This Central vs. Atlantic Division matchup could turn on perimeter shooting and bench production, as both teams battle for momentum heading into December’s gauntlet.
Game Details
Tipoff: 8:00 p.m. ET
Venue: United Center, Chicago, Illinois (home of the Bulls; capacity ~23,500; famed for its deafening crowds during high-stakes games and the iconic Michael Jordan statue out front)
Broadcast: FanDuel Sports Network Great Lakes (FDSGL), YES Network; streaming available on NBA League Pass
Team Records
| Team | Overall Record | Home/Road Split | Division Standing |
| Brooklyn Nets | 4-17 | 2-9 / 2-8 | 5th in Atlantic |
| Chicago Bulls | 9-11 | 6-5 / 3-6 | 7th in Central |
The Nets trail Atlantic leader Boston by 12.0 games, while the Bulls sit 5.5 games out in the Central, hovering on the play-in bubble with tiebreakers in flux.
Recent Team Forms
Brooklyn shows flickers of potential amid chaos, but Chicago’s home edge meets the Nets’ road despair. The Bulls rank 15th in home net rating (+2.4), contrasting Brooklyn’s 29th overall offensive rating (108.2).
Brooklyn Nets (2-8 in last 10; W1 streak):
The Nets snapped a four-game skid with a 112-108 home upset over Detroit on Dec. 2, where Thomas poured in 32 points. Over their last 10, they’ve averaged 109.8 PPG while allowing 116.2, plagued by rebounding (40.9 RPG, 30th) and defensive lapses (118.4 allowed to guards). Wins include a 105-101 grinder at Washington (Nov. 28) and 114-109 vs. Toronto (Nov. 20); losses to Milwaukee (130-118) and Philadelphia (122-110) exposed paint weakness (55.2 PPG allowed inside). Key stat: Nets rank 27th in assists per game (22.4).
Chicago Bulls (4-6 in last 10; L1 streak):
Chicago dropped a 125-120 home decision to Orlando on Dec. 1, despite Coby White’s 28 points. Their last 10 average 114.6 PPG scored and 116.8 allowed, with strong transition (14.8 fast-break PPG, 8th) but turnover issues (14.2 per game). Bright spots: 118-112 road win at Indiana (Nov. 29) and 127-106 rout of Charlotte (Nov. 25); skid capped by 115-109 loss at Cleveland (Nov. 22). Key stat: Bulls rank 12th in three-point attempts (35.8 per game).
Injury Report
Injuries sideline key pieces for both, with Brooklyn’s backcourt thinned and Chicago’s star wing in flux. Updates as of 5:00 p.m. ET.
Brooklyn Nets:
| Player | Position | Status | Estimated Return | Notes |
| Ben Simmons | G/F | Out | TBD | Back injury management |
| Cam Johnson | F | Out | Dec. 10 | Hamstring strain |
| Day’Ron Sharpe | C | Out | Dec. 12 | Shoulder sprain |
| Noah Clowney | F | Questionable | N/A | Ankle (50/50) |
| Cam Thomas | G | Probable | N/A | Knee (expected to play) |
Simmons’ ongoing saga drops playmaking (Nets 4.8 APG without him); Johnson’s shooting (38% 3PT) is missed.
Chicago Bulls:
| Player | Position | Status | Estimated Return | Notes |
| Zach LaVine | G | Questionable | N/A | Foot (60/40 to play) |
| Lonzo Ball | G | Out | Jan. 15 | Knee rehab |
| Ayo Dosunmu | G | Out | Dec. 8 | Calf strain |
| Patrick Williams | F | Out | Dec. 18 | Foot stress reaction |
| Nikola Vučević | C | Probable | N/A | Illness (expected to play) |
LaVine’s status swings scoring (+20.3 PPG if active); Ball’s absence hampers defense (Bulls allow +8.2 PPG without him).
Key Player Matchups
Chicago’s vets test Brooklyn’s youth, with guard play deciding tempo in a potential shootout.
Cam Thomas (BKN, 25.2 PPG) vs. Coby White (CHI, 20.1 PPG): Thomas’ scoring bursts (29.4% usage) challenge White’s on-ball D (1.1 SPG); White averages 22.5 vs. BKN last 2. Edge: Thomas.
Mikal Bridges (BKN, 18.7 PPG, 4.2 SPG) vs. DeMar DeRozan (CHI, 23.4 PPG): Bridges’ length contests DeRozan’s mid-range (48% FG), but DeRozan’s craftiness (6.2 FTA) draws fouls. Edge: DeRozan.
Nic Claxton (BKN, 12.0 PPG, 9.8 RPG) vs. Nikola Vučević (CHI, 18.2 PPG, 10.4 RPG): Claxton’s rim protection (1.8 BPG) vs. Vučević’s face-up game; if Vučević plays, he owns the glass. Edge: Vučević.
Other watches: Dennis Schröder (BKN) vs. Chicago’s bench; Josh Giddey (CHI) in transition.
Series History
Chicago leads the all-time regular-season series (118-102), but Brooklyn has won 4 of the last 7 meetings. The Nets’ latest triumph: 116-105 on Mar. 20, 2025, at home (Thomas: 28 PTS). The Bulls rebounded with a 121-110 road win on Jan. 12, 2025 (DeRozan: 35 PTS). In Chicago, the Bulls are 62-48 all-time vs. BKN and 5-2 in the last seven home games. Average score in last 10: Bulls 113.8, Nets 109.2. Chicago is 6-4 SU in their last 10 vs. Brooklyn.
Betting Trends
| CHI 6-5 SU at home; BKN 2-8 SU on road. Public 58% on CHI. |
| CHI 9-11 ATS (5-6 as favs); BKN 10-11 ATS (6-4 as dogs). |
| BKN 11-10 O (avg total 226.0); CHI 10-10 (avg 231.4). 6-4 O in last 10 H2H. |
Additional trends: Bulls 5-5 ATS in last 10; Nets 4-6 ATS as road dogs. Line moved from -4.5 to -5.5 on LaVine questionable upgrade.
Game Odds
Brooklyn Nets 231.5
Chicago Bulls – 7.5
NBA Game Preview: Brooklyn Nets (4-16) vs. Chicago Bulls (9-11)Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, December 2, 2025
