Indiana Pacers at Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls -4.5-110
CONF 67%
LLostFinal 120-105
The read
TALE OF THE TAPE
Chicago Bulls Indiana Pacers Record 9-12 ← 4-18 Off Rating 112.0 ← 109.5 Def Rating 116.3 → 115.8 Net Rating -4.3 ← -6.3 Key Injuries Huerter, Collins, Haliburton, Toppin, White (Q) Nesmith
Gary's Take I love this spot for Chicago because the profile lines up on every level. The numbers don't lie – the Bulls have been a much different team at home, while Indiana still hasn’t figured out how to win on the road. Chicago owns the edge in offensive rating and shooting efficiency, and their better net rating backs up what the records already say. With Tyrese Haliburton and other key wings sidelined, Indiana is leaning heavily on Pascal Siakam to create against a defense that can at least make life difficult.
Here's how I see this playing out: in a high-possession game, Chicago’s faster tempo and cleaner half-court offense run through Nikola Vucevic wear down a Pacers group that has already shown cracks against quality opponents. When this gets tight late, the Bulls’ stronger clutch record should matter, especially against a team that has struggled to close. This screams value with Chicago laying a small number at home.
Lock this in: Chicago Bulls -4.5 -110. The only way this misses is if Indiana suddenly looks like a competent road team for four quarters and turns this into a coin-flip at the buzzer.
Injuries noted
Indiana Pacers: Ben Sheppard (Out) — Dec 4: Sheppard is out for Friday's game against the Bulls with a left calf strain.; Kam Jones (Out) — Nov 30: Jones (lower back) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Cavaliers.; Quenton Jackson (Out) — Nov 30: Jackson (hamstring) will remain on the inactive list for Monday's game against the Cavs.; Aaron Nesmith (Out) — Nov 15: Nesmith (knee) is expected to be out for around four weeks, Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports.; Obi Toppin (Out) — Oct 31: Toppin will undergo surgery to place a screw in his right foot Monday, Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports.; Tyrese Haliburton (Out) — Jul 7: Haliburton will miss the entire 2025-26 season while recovering from surgery on his right Achilles tendon, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.; day Dosunmu (Questionable); Added to injury report Dosunmu (Questionable)
Chicago Bulls: Patrick Williams (Day-To-Day) — Dec 4: Williams is considered probable for Friday's game against the Pacers due to a left wrist sprain.; Zach Collins (Out) — Dec 4: Collins (wrist) is questionable for Friday's game against the Pacers.; Jalen Smith (Out) — Dec 4: Smith (hamstring) is listed as doubtful for Friday's game against the Pacers.; Dalen Terry (Day-To-Day) — Dec 4: Terry (calf) is listed as probable for Friday's game against the Pacers.; Isaac Okoro (Out) — Dec 4: Okoro (back) is doubtful to play Friday against the Pacers.; Tre Jones (Day-To-Day) — Dec 4: Jones (ankle) is doubtful for Friday's game against Indiana.; Ayo Dosunmu (Day-To-Day) — Dec 4: Dosunmu is questionable for Friday's game against the Pacers due to a right thumb sprain.; Coby White (Out) — Dec 4: White (calf) is questionable for Friday's game against the Pacers.; Kevin Huerter (Out) — Dec 3: Huerter (hamstring) will miss at least one week of action before he's re-evaluated, Will Gottlieb of AllCHGO.com reports.; Noa Essengue (Out) — Dec 3: Essengue will undergo left shoulder surgery and will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season, K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network reports.; Ben SheppardGStatusOut Sheppard (Out)
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