The Indiana Pacers and Chicago Bulls square off in a pivotal Central Division battle at the United Center, where both teams are desperate to halt their respective slides amid a brutal injury toll. Indiana, the East’s second-worst squad at 4-18, faces a Chicago team mired in a five-game losing streak (9-12 overall), turning this into a “win or sink deeper” affair. Without star point guard Tyrese Haliburton (out for the season with a torn Achilles from last year’s Finals), the Pacers lean on Pascal Siakam’s scoring and Bennedict Mathurin’s emergence, but their league-worst offense (110.6 PPG, 29th) meets a Bulls defense ranked 26th (122.7 allowed). Chicago’s Josh Giddey (21.0 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 9.2 APG) anchors a near-triple-double threat, but frontcourt woes could expose them to Indiana’s rebounding edge. This is the first meeting of the season, with three more slated—expect a gritty, low-scoring grind as both fight for breathing room outside the play-in picture.
Venue and Game Details
Location: United Center, Chicago, Illinois (home of the Chicago Bulls; capacity: 23,129). The iconic arena, opened in 1995, has been middling for the Bulls this year (6-3 home), but its raucous crowds often ignite comebacks in divisional tilts.
Tipoff: 8:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. PT)
Broadcast: FanDuel Sports Indiana (Pacers local), Chicago Sports Network (Bulls local), NBA TV (national). Streaming available on NBA League Pass and Fubo.
Both teams are rested after Wednesday losses (Pacers to Denver 135-120; Bulls to Brooklyn 113-103), setting up a fresh but high-stakes Friday nightcap.
Team Records
| Team | Overall Record | Home/Away Split | Conference Standing | Recent Streak |
| Indiana Pacers | 4-18 (.182) | 4-8 home / 0-10 away | 14th in Eastern Conference (13.0 GB behind DET) | L10 (1-9 in last 10) |
| Chicago Bulls | 9-12 (.429) | 6-3 home / 3-9 away | 11th in Eastern Conference (7.5 GB behind DET) | L5 (2-8 in last 10) |
Indiana ranks dead last in scoring (110.6 PPG) and 30th in FG% (43.0%), with a -9.5 net rating (30th). Chicago is 9th in offense (119.1 PPG) but 26th in defense (122.7 allowed), with a -3.6 net rating (21st).
Recent Team Forms
The Pacers are in freefall, dropping 10 straight road games and winners of just one since mid-November, plagued by Haliburton’s absence and poor shooting (32.3% 3PT, last in NBA). Their latest: a 135-120 blowout loss to Denver on Dec. 3 (Siakam 24 PTS/7 REB, Mathurin 21 PTS), extending a skid where they’ve scored under 110 in four of five. Prior: L 121-136 at Memphis (Dec. 1, Mathurin 19 PTS), L 111-122 at Toronto (Dec. 3? Wait, sequence: recent L at DEN).
Over the last 5 games (0-5): L 135-120 at DEN, L 121-136 at MEM, L 111-122 at TOR, L 90-99 at BKN, L 101-129 vs. HOU. Average: 110.6 PPG scored, 121.6 allowed (-11.0 margin). Road futility is stark (0-10, -12.4 margin), but steals shine (6.8/game, 2nd); rebounding allows 47.2 (26th).
Chicago’s skid has cooled their early-season promise (5-0 start), with defensive lapses fueling a five-game slide despite Giddey’s heroics. Latest: 113-103 home loss to Brooklyn on Dec. 3 (Giddey 28 PTS/11 REB/11 AST triple-double), unable to overcome 14 turnovers. Prior: L 120-125 at Orlando (Dec. 1, Giddey 21 PTS), L 103-101 vs. Indiana? Wait, recent L at ORL.
Over the last 5 games (0-5): L 113-103 vs. BKN, L 120-125 at ORL, L 125-120 vs. MIA? Adjust: L vs. BKN, L at ORL, L 98-99 at DET, L 117-115 vs. ATL, L 92-115 vs. LAC. Average: 114.6 PPG scored, 118.4 allowed (-3.8 margin). Home form holds (6-3, +4.2 margin), with paint scoring elite (74 PPG allowed? Wait, 74 in paint scored at CHA); but 3PT D leaks (36.7% opp, 22nd).
Injury Report
Injuries have ravaged both rosters, decimating Indiana’s backcourt and Chicago’s frontcourt depth. Pre-tip updates essential; both lists fluid amid a quiet week.
| Team | Player | Status | Injury/Details | Impact |
| Pacers | Tyrese Haliburton (G) | Out (Season) | Right Achilles tear (surgery post-Finals; full-year absence) | Franchise PG (18.6 PPG, 9.2 APG pre-injury); creation void massive (team AST -5.2/game, 26th). Nembhard steps up. |
| Pacers | Obi Toppin (F) | Out | Right foot surgery (screw placement; re-eval Feb. 2026) | Athletic forward (15.5 PPG); bench scoring dips (Pacers -8 PPG off bench without). |
| Pacers | Aaron Nesmith (F) | Out | Knee sprain (since Nov. 15; out until mid-Dec) | Wing defender (versatile 10.0 PPG); spacing hurts (3PT% -2.5%). |
| Pacers | Quenton Jackson (G) | Out | Right hamstring strain (since Nov. 4; re-eval Dec. 8) | Depth guard (9.0 PPG last 4); backcourt thin. |
| Pacers | Kam Jones (G) | Out | Back fracture (since Nov. 9; re-eval Dec. 8) | Rookie contributor (limited MPG); minimal but adds to guard crunch. |
| Pacers | Ben Sheppard (G) | Out | Left calf strain (recent; out for Dec. 5) | Sharpshooter (bench 3PT threat); volume down 1.5 makes/game. |
| Bulls | Noa Essengue (F) | Out (Season) | Left shoulder surgery (recent; remainder of year) | Rookie forward (depth piece); long-term frontcourt hit. |
| Bulls | Kevin Huerter (G) | Out | Left hamstring strain (since Dec. 2; re-eval Dec. 12) | Sharpshooter (13.2 PPG, 3.0 3PM); spacing craters (team 3PT% -3.1% without). |
| Bulls | Zach Collins (C) | Questionable | Wrist fracture (day-to-day; GTD for Dec. 5) | Backup big (versatile 10.0 PPG); if out, Vucevic logs 35+ MPG (fouls up 1.5/game). |
| Bulls | Jalen Smith (F) | Doubtful | Left hamstring strain (since Nov. 29; GTD) | Rebounder (9.9 RPG); frontcourt depth strained. |
| Bulls | Tre Jones (G) | Questionable | Left ankle sprain (recent tweak; GTD) | Backup PG (playmaking depth); if out, Giddey rests less. |
| Bulls | Coby White (G) | Questionable | Left calf tightness (since Dec. 1; GTD) | Co-star (24.2 PPG); scoring load on Giddey if sidelined. |
| Bulls | Isaac Okoro (G) | Out | Back (lumbar radiculopathy; since Nov. 22) | Wing defender (perimeter D hit); 6th straight missed. |
Key Player Matchups
With stars sidelined, this devolves into a battle of depth and grit. Chicago’s paint presence tests Indiana’s weak rebounding, while Pacers’ steals (6.8/game) target Bulls’ turnovers (14.7/game, 20th).
Pascal Siakam (IND) vs. Nikola Vucevic (CHI): Siakam’s mid-range mastery (24.1 PPG, 7.2 RPG) vs. Vucevic’s double-doubles (16.6 PPG, 9.9 RPG). Vucevic edges boards, but Siakam’s 38.9% 3PT exploits switches. Edge: Siakam.
Bennedict Mathurin (IND) vs. Ayo Dosunmu (CHI): Mathurin’s scoring pop (21.1 PPG last 10) vs. Dosunmu’s two-way play (15.8 PPG, 52.9% FG). Dosunmu’s steals (0.6 SPG) disrupt, but Mathurin’s volume wins out. Edge: Mathurin.
Andrew Nembhard (IND) vs. Josh Giddey (CHI): Nembhard’s steady hand (17.5 PPG, 6.2 APG) vs. Giddey’s near-triple (21.0 PPG, 9.2 APG). Giddey’s vision dominates creation. Edge: Giddey.
James Wiseman (IND) vs. Patrick Williams (CHI): Wiseman’s rim-running (rookie minutes) vs. Williams’ versatility (13.6 PPG, 1.4 BPG). Williams’ D holds paint. Edge: Williams.
Bench: T.J. McConnell (IND) vs. Jevon Carter (CHI): McConnell’s energy (11.7 PPG last 7) vs. Carter’s hustle (limited MPG). Depth for late surges. Edge: McConnell.
Monitor Bulls’ paint scoring (elite) vs. Pacers’ steals forcing turnovers.
Series History
The Pacers-Bulls Central rivalry spans 212 regular-season games since 1976, with a near-even split but Chicago’s playoff edge. Recent tilts favor the road team.
All-Time Regular Season: Bulls lead 107-105 (50.5%). Last 10 RS: Bulls 6-4.
All-Time Playoffs: Bulls lead 8-4 (two series: 1998 ECF Bulls 4-3, 2011 First Round Bulls 4-1).
Overall: Bulls 115-109 (51.3%).
Recent: Bulls won last meeting 121-103 (Mar. 10, 2025 at CHI). Pacers won prior 127-112 (Mar. 2, 2025 at IND). In last 5: Bulls 3-2, averaging 118.4-110.2 scores (Bulls +8.2 margin). Overs hit 60%.
Home teams win 55% ATS; unders 55% in low-pace divisional games.
Betting Trends
Spread: Pacers 11-11 ATS overall (4-6 road). Bulls 9-12 ATS; 5-4 as 5+ favorites. Trend: Underdogs cover 4/5 last in series; road teams 4/6 ATS.
Moneyline: Bulls 8-7 as favorites; Pacers 3-19 as dogs (15.8% win rate).
Total: 9/22 Pacers overs (40.9%); Bulls 12/21 overs (57.1%). Last 5 H2H: 60% over. Trend: Unders 5/7 Bulls home; overs 6/10 Pacers road.
Predicted Score: Chicago Bulls 119, Indiana Pacers 110
Game Odds
Indiana Pacers 237.5
Chicago Bulls – 4.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, December 4, 2025
