Game Time: Friday, December 26, 2025 at 7:40 PM ET
Location: United Center, Chicago
Okay, I’m not going to lie—I had to check the calendar twice to make sure I was reading this right. The Chicago Bulls have won FOUR games in a row. Four. Consecutive. Wins.
If you’ve been following this team all season, you know this is basically a miracle. We’re actually favored at home against the 76ers on Boxing Day, and for once, it doesn’t feel completely delusional to think we might cover.
Current Betting Lines
Spread: Bulls -1.5 (-107)
Moneyline: Bulls -116 | 76ers +102
Total: 239.5 points
We’re laying 1.5 points at home, which is about as close to a pick’em as you can get. The oddsmakers are basically saying “flip a coin,” but I’m here to tell you why the Bulls side of that coin is shinier.
Bulls Momentum: This Is Actually Happening
Let me paint you a picture of where we’re at:
- 5-5 in our last 10 games (perfectly mediocre, as expected)
- Four-game winning streak (what is this feeling?)
- 4-0 ATS during the streak (we’re not just winning, we’re COVERING)
- 6-4 ATS in last 10 games (actually profitable!)
- Games trending under (6 of last 10)
This isn’t a fluke. We’re playing actual defense, guys are hitting shots, and for the first time all season, we look like we believe we can win games. It’s weird. I’m not used to feeling optimistic about Bulls basketball.
What’s Changed?
Honestly? Everything just clicked at the right time. DeMar and Zach are finally on the same page. Vooch is playing like he remembers he’s a professional basketball player. Our defense has been surprisingly competent.
We’re not championship-caliber or anything crazy like that, but we’re playing like a team that belongs in the playoff conversation. And after the disaster we endured earlier this season, I’ll take it.
The 76ers: Good, But Vulnerable
Philadelphia comes in at 6-4 in their last 10, which sounds solid until you realize they just lost their last game and failed to cover. Here’s what we’re dealing with:
- 6-4 straight up in last 10 (respectable)
- 6-4 ATS in last 10 (they’ve been covering too)
- Currently on a 1-game losing streak
- Games trending under heavily (6 unders, 3 overs, 1 push)
- Playing on the road the day after Christmas
The 76ers are talented, no question. But they’re coming into the United Center on December 26th—the day after Christmas, when everyone’s still in a food coma and traveling is miserable. Meanwhile, we’re at home, riding high on a four-game win streak, and the crowd is going to be electric.
Why the Bulls Have the Edge
1. Momentum Is Real
I know, I know—”momentum” is one of those sports clichés that makes analytics nerds roll their eyes. But having watched this team all season, I can tell you that confidence matters. When you’ve won four straight and covered all four, you play differently. You make the extra pass. You rotate on defense. You believe the next shot is going in.
The 76ers just lost. They’re trying to stop a skid. We’re trying to extend a streak. That psychological difference matters.
2. Home Court Actually Means Something Right Now
The United Center has been rocking during this win streak. When the crowd gets into it, our guys feed off that energy. Philadelphia is good, but they’re also 6-4 on the road in their last 10 away games (I’m assuming—they don’t break it down, but their overall road record can’t be amazing).
Playing at home on the second night of a holiday weekend when we’ve got all the momentum? That’s a real advantage.
3. We’re Covering Spreads Like It’s Our Job
Four straight ATS wins. That’s not luck—that’s a team that’s executing and finishing games. Even if some of these wins have been close, we’re getting it done when it matters. The 76ers are good ATS too (6-4), but they just failed to cover in their last game.
4. The Total Screams Under
Both teams have been playing under-heavy basketball lately. We’ve got 6 unders in our last 10. They’ve got 6 unders in their last 10. The total is set at 239.5, which feels high for two teams that have been grinding out defensive games.
If there’s a bet I feel most confident about, it’s the under.
The 76ers’ Strengths (Unfortunately, They Have Some)
Let’s not get too cocky. Philadelphia is legitimately good:
- Joel Embiid – When healthy, he’s one of the best players in the league
- Tyrese Maxey – The man can score in bunches and stretch defenses
- Solid ATS record – They’ve been covering spreads consistently
- Experience – They’ve been in big games and know how to close
If Embiid is feeling it and Maxey gets hot, this game could get away from us quickly. The 76ers have the kind of talent that can erase a lead in three minutes if you let them.
My Picks and Predictions
Here’s where I’m putting my (hypothetical) money:
Best Bet: Bulls -1.5 (-107)
We’re at home. We’ve won four straight and covered all four. We’ve got momentum, energy, and a crowd that’s going to be fired up. Philadelphia is good, but laying 1.5 points with this Bulls team right now feels like the safest bet on the board.
Strong Lean: Under 239.5 (-108)
Both teams are playing defensive basketball right now. Six unders in our last 10, six unders in their last 10. Unless something changes dramatically, this stays under. I’d bet this with confidence.
Risky Play: Bulls Moneyline -116
If you believe in the streak (and I’m starting to), taking the Bulls straight up at -116 isn’t crazy. We’re better than a coin flip right now, and the price reflects a much closer game than I think we’re going to get.
What the Model Says
The simulation has us winning 122-116, which would cover the 1.5-point spread and stay comfortably under 239.5. For once, the model and my gut agree.
Keys to Victory
For the Bulls to win and cover:
- Keep the defensive intensity up
- Don’t let Embiid dominate the paint
- Hit free throws in crunch time (we’ve been better at this lately)
- Get 20+ from either Zach or DeMar
- Win the turnover battle
What could go wrong:
- Embiid goes off for 40
- Maxey catches fire from three
- We get complacent and let them back in
- Free throws betray us in the clutch
- The refs decide to make this about them
The Honest Take
Look, I’ve been hurt by this team too many times to be overly confident about anything. But right now—in this moment—we’re playing the best basketball we’ve played all season. We’re at home. We’ve got a crowd that’s going to be loud. We’re facing a good team, but one that just lost and is playing on the road after Christmas.
If we can’t win THIS game—at home, on a four-game streak, against a team traveling on a holiday—then we don’t deserve to make the playoffs.
My Prediction: Bulls 118, 76ers 112
We cover the 1.5, the under hits, and we extend the streak to five. Book it.
(Please don’t make me look stupid, Bulls. Please.)
Prediction Summary
- Spread: Bulls -1.5 ✓✓✓ (High confidence)
- Moneyline: Bulls -116 ✓✓ (Solid play)
- Total: Under 239.5 ✓✓✓ (High confidence)
The Bulls are the play tonight. Ride the streak, trust the home court, and enjoy watching this team actually play with confidence for once.
Let’s go Bulls. Make it five in a row.