Tip-off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET
Venue: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
The Sixers visit the United Center for the second meeting of the young season after dominating the Bulls 126-107 in Philadelphia on November 2. Philadelphia sits atop the Eastern Conference (and Atlantic Division) after a strong start, while Chicago is mired near the bottom of the East (14th) and Central Division with a six-game losing streak.
Current Rosters (Key Players)
Philadelphia 76ers (starters expected when healthy):
Guards: Tyrese Maxey (#0), VJ Edgecombe (#77), Anfernee Simons (#5), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (#1)
Wings/Forwards: Jaylen Brown (#7), LeBron James (#23), Dean Wade (#45), Jabari Walker (#33), Justin Edwards (#11)
Centers/Bigs: Joel Embiid (#21), Adem Bona (#30), Tacko Fall (#99)
Other notables: Labaron Philon Jr., Rayan Rupert, Dominick Barlow, Ariel Hukporti (out for season).
Chicago Bulls (typical starters):
Guards: Josh Giddey (#3), Norman Powell (#24), Tre Jones (#30), Buddy Hield (#7)
Wings/Forwards: Matas Buzelis (#14), Caleb Wilson (#8), Patrick Williams (#44), Isaac Okoro (#35), Noa Essengue (#2), Leonard Miller (#11)
Centers/Bigs: Jalen Smith (#25), Nic Claxton (#9), Zach Collins (#12)
Other: Tobe Awaka, Jordan Hawkins, Dailyn Swain, Jaylin Sellers.
Injury Reports
76ers:
Joel Embiid (right foot plantar fascia management) — Probable
Adem Bona (cervical spine sprain) — Out
Dominick Barlow (low back stress reaction) — Out
Ariel Hukporti (right Achilles rupture) — Out for season
Bulls:
Jalen Smith (left finger sprain) — Probable
Nic Claxton (left hamstring strain) — Questionable (potential season debut if cleared)
Norman Powell (right shoulder inflammation/soreness) — Questionable
Tobe Awaka (left MCL sprain) — Questionable
Zach Collins (respiratory illness) — Out
Dailyn Swain (right disc irritation) — Out
Jaylin Sellers (G League two-way) — Out
Embiid is expected to play and manage minutes. Claxton’s potential debut and Powell’s status are key variables for Chicago.
Key Player Matchups
Tyrese Maxey vs. Josh Giddey / Tre Jones: Maxey (26.9 PPG, strong playmaking) led the Nov. 2 win with 26 points and 11 assists. He will attack the Bulls’ perimeter defense and create for others.
Joel Embiid vs. Jalen Smith / Nic Claxton (if available): Embiid’s interior presence and free-throw drawing against Chicago’s thin big rotation. Smith is probable; Claxton would be a significant boost if he debuts.
Jaylen Brown / LeBron James vs. Matas Buzelis / Caleb Wilson / Patrick Williams: Brown (double-double in the prior meeting) and James (all-around production) against Chicago’s young, athletic forwards. Rookie Caleb Wilson (around 19–20 PPG recently) has been a bright spot for the Bulls.
VJ Edgecombe / secondary creators vs. Norman Powell (if healthy) and wing defenders: Edgecombe’s efficiency and two-way impact were notable in the first meeting.
Recent Team Forms
76ers (8-2 overall, L1): Strong defensive start (allowing ~106.6 PPG). Recent results include a 126-107 home win over Chicago (Nov. 2), 112-106 road win at Detroit (Nov. 4), and a 95-119 road loss at Cleveland (Nov. 6, NBA Cup). They have won four of their last five before the Cleveland setback and feature elite star power when fully healthy. Offensive rhythm has been a noted focus after Embiid’s comments.
Bulls (1-7 overall, L6): Struggling badly on defense (allowing ~129.6 PPG, among the league’s worst) and shooting poorly from three (~27% range early). They lost the Nov. 2 rematch and followed with a heavy defeat at New York. Young pieces (Wilson, Buzelis, Giddey) show flashes, but consistency and defensive structure under coach Tiago Splitter remain major issues. Claxton’s potential return offers hope for the frontcourt.
Series History
The teams split their last 10 meetings prior to this season. In the most recent matchup (Nov. 2, 2026, in Philadelphia), the Sixers won convincingly 126-107 behind Maxey (26/11), Brown (25/11), Edgecombe (21), James (15/9/7), and Embiid (15/8). Philadelphia led by as many as 22. Earlier history has been competitive, but the talent gap currently favors the Sixers.
Betting Trends
Sixers are 6-4 ATS this season and strong as favorites. Bulls are struggling ATS and have been on the wrong side of large margins recently. Totals have gone under in most Sixers games early (strong defense, variable offense). Chicago’s high-pace, leaky defense pushes totals higher.
The Sixers should bounce back from the Cleveland loss against a struggling Bulls side. Expect Maxey and the secondary creators to exploit Chicago’s perimeter issues, with Embiid anchoring the paint. Chicago’s youth (Wilson, Buzelis, Giddey) can keep it competitive in stretches and generate scoring, but defensive lapses and potential absences should allow Philadelphia to pull away in the second half, similar to the first meeting. A closer game is possible if Claxton debuts effectively and Powell is fully available, but the overall talent and form edge belongs firmly to the visitors.
Game Odds
Philadelphia Sixers – 9
Chicago Bulls 237.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Saturday, November 7, 2026
