Philadelphia 76ers at Chicago Bulls | Sunday, November 8, 2026 | 2:30 PM CT / 3:30 PM ET | United Center, Chicago | Chicago Sports Network (CHSN), NBC Sports Philadelphia
This one is at home, so for once we don’t have to pack a bag. That’s about the only good news.
I picked the Knicks to beat us on Wednesday, 121-110. New York won 135-105, so I had the winner and was 20 points light on the margin. It wasn’t close: the Knicks led 43-21 after one quarter and 84-52 at halftime, per FantasyData. Jalen Brunson scored 33. The Bulls’ leading scorers, Tre Jones and Jaylin Sellers, had 14 each, and Chicago shot 22.7% from three while being outrebounded 57-34.
That makes it six straight losses and a 1-7 record. The last win was on Oct. 23.
Game Info: 76ers at Bulls
- Date: Sunday, November 8, 2026
- Tip-off: 2:30 PM CT / 3:30 PM ET, per Fubo and Sportbusy. Sports Mole’s UK listing shows 8:30 PM GMT, which converts to the same time
- Venue: United Center, Chicago
- TV: CHSN in Chicago and NBC Sports Philadelphia for the visitors. Fubo lists both
- Records: Bulls 1-7 (0-2 at home, 14th in the East); 76ers 8-2 (first in the East)
- Odds: Sportbusy listed Philadelphia at -350 on the moneyline, with a spread of Sixers -9 and a total of 238. Sports Mole’s own pick is a 10-point or larger Philadelphia win
The Bulls: Bad Defense and a Few Bright Spots
The defense is the league’s worst by rating, per Sports Mole, and the scoring-allowed number backs it up: 129.6 points a game, per Sportbusy. The offense is better at 111.6, but that doesn’t cover it.
- Caleb Wilson: The rookie averages 19.5 points and 6.5 rebounds, per Sports Mole. He’s the one player who looks like he belongs every night.
- Giddey and Powell: Josh Giddey is the playmaker, and Norman Powell is expected to feature.
- Claxton: Nic Claxton (hamstring) is a game-time decision and could make his Bulls debut. He has missed all eight games.
- Others: Jalen Smith (hand) and Zach Collins (illness) are also game-time decisions.
The 76ers: Rolling, But Not Perfect
Philadelphia is 8-2 and first in the East, but it just lost by 24 at Cleveland on Friday, ending a five-game win streak, per Sports Mole. It’s 4-1 on the road.
- Maxey: Tyrese Maxey averages 26.9 points.
- James: LeBron James averages 6.9 assists.
- Embiid: Joel Embiid has no injury designation, but he’s managing plantar fasciitis in his right foot, per Sports Mole. He averages 17.9 points and 9.6 rebounds.
- Out: Adem Bona (cervical spine sprain), Dominick Barlow (back) and Ariel Hukporti (Achilles, out for the season).
- Scoring: Philadelphia averages 109.4 points and allows 106.6, per Sportbusy, which tells you it wins with defense.
The Matchups That Matter
Claxton or no Claxton. If he plays, Chicago has a rim protector for the first time all year, and his minutes will be a story either way. If he sits, Embiid has an easy afternoon.
Wilson against Philadelphia’s wings. Philadelphia allows just 106.6 points a game, so Wilson won’t get easy looks.
The first quarter. We were down 22 after one quarter on Wednesday. A competitive first 12 minutes would change the whole afternoon.
Three-point defense and shooting. Chicago shot 22.7% from three on Wednesday, and Maxey and James thrive when we’re out of position.
Philadelphia’s bounce-back. The Sixers lost by 24 at Cleveland on Friday, so expect them to be motivated.
What Actually Decides It
The market has Philadelphia at about 78% on the moneyline, with a 9-point spread, and I can’t argue much with it. We’ve lost six straight, own the worst defense in the league and just gave up 84 in a half to the Knicks.
My honest case for Chicago: it’s a home afternoon game, the Sixers just lost, and Claxton might return. But the bigger odds are that Philadelphia, which is deeper and healthier, wins by 10 or more. I’ll take the Sixers and hope the Bulls compete for three quarters.
My Honest Final Score Prediction: Philadelphia 76ers 120, Chicago Bulls 107
The post Bulls vs. 76ers November 8th: A 1-7 Team Gets a Sunday Matinee at the United Center and a Possible Claxton Debut appeared first on UrbanMatter.
