The Indiana Pacers (3-7 in last 10) visit the Chicago Bulls (3-7 in last 10) Friday night at the United Center, with tipoff set for 8:00 p.m. ET. We’re 5.5-point home favorites despite riding a devastating 5-game losing streak. Both teams are equally terrible, but we’re at home and desperately need this win.
Game Information
Date: Friday, December 5, 2025
Tipoff: 8:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. CT
Location: United Center, Chicago
League: NBA
Betting Lines and Odds
Moneyline: Pacers +183, Bulls -213
Spread: Pacers +5.5 (-108), Bulls -5.5 (-106)
Total: 238 points (Over -109 / Under -107)
Bulls in Complete Disaster Mode
Chicago sits at 3-7 in the last 10 games, riding an absolutely brutal 5-game losing streak. We’re 2-8 against the spread with a 1-game ATS losing streak after briefly covering one spread before failing again.
Bulls games have split evenly on totals (5 overs, 5 unders) with our most recent game going under. We’re capable of both high-scoring and low-scoring games depending on matchup.
Pacers Equally Struggling
Indiana enters at 3-7 in their last 10 games with a 2-game losing streak. However, they’re 6-4 ATS with a 2-game ATS losing streak – they’ve been covering spreads more consistently than we have.
Pacers games have leaned toward overs (6 overs, 4 unders) with 2 straight overs suggesting recent high-scoring affairs.
Why Are We Still Favored?
Both teams are 3-7 in their last 10. We’re on a 5-game losing streak, they’re on a 2-game losing streak. Yet we’re laying 5.5 points at home as if we’re the better team.
Home Court Is All We Have
The United Center is literally our only advantage right now. We’re desperate for a win in front of our home crowd, which should provide some energy and motivation.
Pacers’ Road Struggles (Probably)
Indiana is 3-7 overall, and road games are typically tougher than home games. We’re hoping their struggles continue in Chicago.
This Is Our Get-Right Game
If we can’t beat a 3-7 Pacers team at home after losing 5 straight, we have fundamental problems that can’t be fixed. This must be the game where we remember how to win.
Five Straight Losses Is Unacceptable
We’ve lost five consecutive games. The confidence is completely shot, the execution is terrible, and the season is slipping away. Indiana represents our last chance to salvage anything from this nightmare stretch.
Rock Bottom
Five straight losses. Five. We’ve gone from playoff hopes to complete irrelevance in just over two weeks. This is the lowest point of our season.
Home Crowd Deserves Better
Our fans keep showing up to the United Center and watching us lose. They deserve to see a win, especially against another struggling team.
Pacers Covering Spreads
Indiana is 6-4 ATS in their last 10, meaning they’re keeping games closer than expected and covering spreads consistently. That’s concerning given our struggles covering (2-8 ATS).
Tyrese Haliburton Will Get His
The Pacers’ point guard will orchestrate their offense and put up numbers regardless of outcome. He’ll dish 10+ assists and make plays all night. The question is whether our overall talent advantage shows up.
Betting Analysis
The Spread
Bulls -5.5 feels dangerous given our 5-game losing streak and Indiana’s 6-4 ATS record. They’ve been covering spreads while we’ve been failing to cover. The trends don’t favor us.
The Moneyline
Bulls -213 is expensive for a team that’s lost 5 straight. But we’re at home against another 3-7 team, and we should win this game. Lay the juice and pray.
The Total
Under 238 creates interesting value. The total has moved from the typical 240+ range down to 238, suggesting both teams’ offensive struggles are being respected. Both teams are capable of low-scoring games.
Bulls’ Keys to Victory
For us to end the 5-game losing streak and cover the 5.5-point spread, we need:
- Jump on them early – Build lead in first half before panic sets in
- Execute in half-court – Can’t rely on transition with both teams struggling
- Make free throws – Close games come down to charity stripe
- Don’t collapse mentally – Stay composed even when adversity hits
Bulls Fan Perspective
This is absolute must-win territory. Five straight losses have destroyed our season and crushed any remaining optimism. Now we’re home against a team that’s equally terrible, and we’re laying 5.5 points.
The market still respects us enough to make us home favorites, but recent form suggests we don’t deserve that respect. We’re 2-8 ATS while Indiana is 6-4 ATS – they’re covering spreads, we’re failing to cover.
Friday night at the United Center against another 3-7 team – this is where we prove we’re not completely broken. Lose this game and fall to 6 straight defeats, and the season is effectively over.
No more excuses. No more “we’re close” narratives. Win this game at home, cover the 5.5-point spread, and show that we’re capable of beating teams we should beat.
This is rock bottom meeting rock bottom. Someone has to win this game, and it absolutely must be us.
Game Prediction
Projected Score: Bulls 115, Pacers 111
We finally end the 5-game losing streak with a home victory, barely covering the 5.5-point spread with a 4-point win. It’s not pretty, it’s not comfortable, but we get the job done.
The game stays under 238 points as both teams struggle offensively in a grinding, ugly affair.
Best Bets:
- Bulls -5.5 (must-win desperation) – Should win at home
- Bulls ML -213 (expensive but necessary) – Not losing 6 straight
- Under 238 (value play) – Both teams struggling to score
For Bulls fans, this represents survival. Win at home against Indiana and end the nightmare, or lose for the sixth straight time and confirm the season is lost.
See Red and END THIS STREAK!