Chicago Bulls at Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte Hornets +3.5-112
CONF 67%
WCashedFinal 129-126
The read
TALE OF THE TAPE
Charlotte Hornets Chicago Bulls Record 7-17 → 9-14 Off Rating 111.3 ← 110.9 Def Rating 115.9 ← 117.3 Net Rating -4.6 ← -6.4 Key Injuries Cam Thomas, Haywood Highsmith Jalen Smith, Isaac Okoro, Kevin Huerter, Ayo Dosunmu, Tre Jones, Noa Essengue
Gary's Take The public is going to load up on Chicago, but this matchup is a lot closer than the record column suggests. Charlotte actually owns small edges in both offensive and defensive efficiency and a better overall net rating (-4.6 vs -6.4). LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges drive that attack (Ball at 19.4 points and 8.5 assists, Bridges at 21.0 points and 6.3 boards), with Brandon Miller and Collin Sexton providing additional scoring and keeping the Hornets’ true shooting stronger than Chicago’s.
Chicago’s season-long three-point number (38% from deep) is propped up by shooters who aren’t suiting up: Ayo Dosunmu (47.5% from three), Isaac Okoro (38.3%), Jalen Smith (37.7%) and Kevin Huerter are all listed out, stripping a lot of spacing from an already average offense. The Bulls have been better in clutch games (6-4 in contests decided by five or fewer vs Charlotte’s 0-4), so they can certainly escape with a win, but in a fast game (both paces over 101) I see a healthier Hornets side trading buckets and keeping this inside one possession most of the way. That’s exactly the kind of home dog I want: give me Charlotte Hornets +3.5 -112.
Injuries noted
Chicago Bulls: Coby White (Day-To-Day) — Dec 11: White is listed as probable for Friday's game against the Hornets due to right calf tightness.; Zach Collins (Day-To-Day) — Dec 11: Collins (wrist) is probable for Friday's game against the Hornets.; Jalen Smith (Out) — Dec 11: Smith (hamstring) is probable for Friday's game against the Hornets.; Isaac Okoro (Out) — Dec 11: Okoro (back) is probable for Friday's game against the Hornets.; Kevin Huerter (Out) — Dec 11: Huerter (thigh) will not play Friday against Charlotte, K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network reports.; Ayo Dosunmu (Out) — Dec 11: Dosunmu (thumb) will not play Friday against the Hornets, K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network reports.; Tre Jones (Out) — Dec 11: Jones (ankle) is expecting to play Friday against Charlotte, K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network 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.
Charlotte Hornets: E.J. Liddell (Day-To-Day) — Dec 11: Liddell ended Friday's 125-107 loss to Detroit with two points (1-2 FG) and one rebound in five minutes.; Cam Thomas (Out) — Dec 6: Thomas (hamstring) has been cleared for on-court work and will be re-evaluated in two weeks, Ian Begley of SportsNet New York reports.; Haywood Highsmith (Out) — Oct 19: Highsmith (knee) experienced swelling during rehab and will re-evaluated in eight weeks, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.com reports.
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- Board stored December 12, 2025 at 10:11 AM ET.
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