The New Orleans Pelicans (4-22) aim to build on a hard-fought win that snapped a seven-game skid when they visit the Chicago Bulls (10-14), who also enter off a dramatic victory ending their own seven-game slide. Both squads boast potent offenses but leaky defenses, setting up a potential shootout in the Windy City. With Zion Williamson’s status in flux and Chicago’s backcourt nicked up, this rematch of their November thriller (Pelicans 143-130 win) could hinge on perimeter shooting and rebounding battles. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. ET from United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The 20,917-seat arena, opened in 1994 and renovated in 2014, has been middling for the Bulls this season (6-7 home), where they’ve averaged 118.2 PPG but allowed 124.1.
Broadcast options include Gulf Coast Sports and Entertainment Network (for Pelicans fans) and Chicago Sports Network, with streaming on NBA League Pass and SiriusXM Radio.
Team Records and Standings
| Team | Overall Record | Home/Away Split | Conference Rank | ATS Record |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 4-22 | 3-11 Home / 1-11 Away | 15th (West) | 10-15-1 |
| Chicago Bulls | 10-14 | 6-7 Home / 4-7 Away | 11th (East) | 11-13 |
The Pelicans sit dead last in the West, outscored by 9.3 PPG overall. Chicago clings to play-in hopes in the East, riding balanced scoring but plagued by late-game collapses (lost 4 of last 5 by single digits).
Recent Team Forms
Both teams enter with momentum from Thursday wins but carry baggage from extended droughts. New Orleans’ defense ranks 28th (123.5 allowed), while Chicago’s offense pops at 117.8 PPG (14th) but fades on the road.
New Orleans Pelicans Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Stats (Pelicans) |
| Dec. 11 | vs. POR | W 143-120 | 52.1% FG, 41.7% 3PT, 12 TOs |
| Dec. 8 | vs. SAS | L 132-135 | 48.2% FG, 35.3% 3PT, 14 TOs |
| Dec. 6 | @ BKN | L 101-119 | 45.1% FG, 36.0% 3PT, 17 TOs |
| Dec. 4 | vs. MIN | L 116-125 | 45.3% FG, 28.0% 3PT, 12 TOs |
| Dec. 2 | vs. MIN | L 142-149 OT | 54.9% FG, 57.1% 3PT, 13 TOs |
Form Summary: 1-4. Averaging 126.8 PPG while yielding 129.6 PPG. Rebounding (42.5 RPG) holds steady, but turnovers (13.6 per game) and poor closeouts (58.2% opponent eFG%) doom them; Thursday’s explosion (143 points) featured Poole’s 22 in his return.
Chicago Bulls Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Stats (Bulls) |
| Dec. 12 | @ CHA | W 129-126 | 50.0% FG, 38.5% 3PT, 11 TOs |
| Dec. 8 | vs. GSW | L 91-123 | 40.7% FG, 35.2% 3PT, 15 TOs |
| Dec. 6 | vs. IND | L 105-120 | 47.4% FG, 42.0% 3PT, 12 TOs |
| Dec. 4 | vs. BKN | L 103-113 | 43.2% FG, 32.5% 3PT, 13 TOs |
| Dec. 2 | vs. ORL | L 120-125 | 54.5% FG, 42.5% 3PT, 13 TOs |
Form Summary: 1-4. Averaging 109.6 PPG but allowing 121.4 PPG. Assists lead the league (28.5 APG), but rebounding dips (45.4 RPG, 20th) and 4th-quarter collapses persist; Giddey’s triple-double (26-11-7) sealed Friday’s rally.
Injury Report
Injuries continue to hobble both lineups, with New Orleans’ frontcourt depth tested sans Murray and Chicago’s guards questionable. Williamson’s potential return (22.1 PPG) could shift the paint dynamic.
New Orleans Pelicans Injuries:
| Player | Status | Injury Details |
| Zion Williamson | Questionable | Right Adductor Strain |
| Dejounte Murray | Out | Right Achilles Rupture (Season) |
| Trey Alexander | Out | G League Two-Way |
| Hunter Dickinson | Out | G League Two-Way |
Chicago Bulls Injuries:
| Player | Status | Injury Details |
| Ayo Dosunmu | Doubtful | Right Thumb Sprain |
| Kevin Huerter | Questionable | Left Adductor Strain |
| Coby White | Probable | Right Calf Tightness |
| Dalen Terry | Probable | Left Hand Strain |
| Noa Essengue | Out | Left Shoulder Surgery (Season) |
| Emanuel Miller | Out | G League Assignment |
| Trentyn Flowers | Out | G League Two-Way |
| Lachlan Olbrich | Out | G League Assignment |
Murray’s absence (pre-injury: 18.7 PPG, 6.4 APG) burdens Fears/Poole; Dosunmu doubtful (11.9 PPG) elevates Giddey’s load to 35+ MPG.
Key Player Matchups
Without full backcourts, wings and bigs dictate pace. Chicago’s length (No. 12 in blocks) challenges New Orleans’ drives, but Pelicans’ shooting (36.8% 3PT) tests Bulls’ perimeter (55.1% opponent eFG%).
Trey Murphy III (NOP, 21.2 PPG) vs. Coby White (CHI, 21.9 PPG; P): Murphy’s volume (35.5 MPG sans Zion) exploits White’s on-ball D; White (5.0 APG) creates off drives but coughs up 2.1 TOs. Edge: Murphy—expect 22+ points, 4+ threes if Zion sits.
Josh Giddey (CHI, 20.5 PPG, 9.0 APG) vs. Jeremiah Fears (NOP, Rookie PG): Giddey’s vision (triple-double threat) overwhelms Fears’ inexperience; Fears (12.4 PPG) scores in bursts but lacks size. Edge: Giddey—over 8.5 assists in 35+ minutes.
Zion Williamson (NOP, 22.1 PPG; Q) vs. Nikola Vucevic (CHI, 18.2 PPG, 10.1 RPG): If active, Zion’s explosiveness (55% FG) bullies Vucevic’s frame; Vucevic rebounds well (11.2 vs. NOP) but slow on switches. Edge: Williamson—double-double if he plays 25+ minutes.
Saddiq Bey (NOP, 14.8 PPG) vs. Matas Buzelis (CHI, 15.6 PPG): Bey’s cutting (7.2 RPG) tests Buzelis’ length; Buzelis (rookie, 1.8 SPG) disrupts but fouls prone. Edge: Bey—prop over 14.5 points in expanded role.
Bonus Watch: Jordan Poole (NOP, 22 in return) hunts threes vs. Chicago’s wings.
Series History
The series is even all-time (27-24 Bulls), but New Orleans has surged lately, winning three of the last five with high-scoring affairs. Their November clash saw 273 combined points.
Last 5 Head-to-Head Meetings:
| Date | Result | Key Notes |
| Nov. 24, 2025 | NOP 143-130 @ CHI | Murphy 24 PTS; 52% 3PT for NOP |
| Jan. 14, 2025 | CHI 113-119 vs. NOP | Giddey 22 PTS; Bulls rally falls short |
| Oct. 23, 2024 | NOP 123-111 @ CHI | Williamson 28 PTS, 12 REB |
| Feb. 25, 2024 | CHI 114-106 @ NOP | Vucevic 20-15; low TOs for CHI |
| Dec. 2, 2023 | CHI 124-118 vs. NOP | White 25 PTS; Over in 4/5 |
Trend: Pelicans 3-2 SU, averaging 121.8 PPG. Overs in 4/5; New Orleans 4-1 ATS as underdogs.
Betting Trends
Spread: Chicago 0-2 ATS as 5.5+ home favorites; New Orleans 6-1 ATS last 7 overall.
Totals: Pelicans games Over in 60% (14/23); Bulls in 46% (12/24), but series Overs in 80%.
Game Odds
New Orleans Pelicans 248.5
Chicago Bulls – 3.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, December 13, 2025
