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Bulls vs. Sixers Prediction and Odds: Joel Embiid's Return Could Cause Problems for Chicago

By Ben Heisler

Chicago Bulls guard DeMar DeRozan has his team atop the Eastern Conference standings with a 6-1 start in 2021-22.
Chicago Bulls guard DeMar DeRozan has his team atop the Eastern Conference standings with a 6-1 start in 2021-22. / Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
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The Chicago Bulls continue their east coast road trip looking to stay hot to open up the 2021-22 NBA season with their seventh win in eight games.

Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers should have Joel Embiid back from a knee injury, but still won't have Ben Simmons as well as Tobias Harris who just tested positive for COVID-19.

Can "The Process" survive and cover the 2.5-point spread without two of their top three stars?

Here are the odds for tonight’s game via WynnBET:

Bulls vs. Sixers Odds, Spread and Total

Spread:

  • Bulls +2.5 (-110)
  • Sixers -2.5 (-110)

Moneyline:

  • Bulls +115
  • SIxers -135

Total: 

  • 215 (Over/Under -110)

Bulls vs. Sixers: How to Watch

  • Chicago Bills (6-1, 6-1 ATS) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (5-2, 4-3 ATS)
  • Date: Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021
  • Time: 7:00 p.m. EST
  • TV: NBC Sports Chicago, NBC Sports Philadelphia
  • Venue: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pa.

Bulls vs. Sixers Prediction and Pick

All the numbers seem to indicate good things ahead for Chicago. They've covered in all six of their wins, and are 4-0 ATS so far in 2021 on a day of rest.

However, I worry some regression could be coming for Chicago.

They've been down big in several games this year, only to ferociously come back in the fourth quarter. They did it on the road at Toronto, at home vs the Knicks, and then again in Boston on Tuesday night, outscoring the Celtics 39-11. While Chicago may be substantially improved, much better on defense and far more efficient on offense, constantly coming back down big is not sustainable.

I think Embiid will own Nikola Vucevic inside, making him the deciding factor in this game. The Bulls have also been the benefactor of back-to-back 30-plus point games from Demar DeRozan, who is locked in on his mid-range game right now.

This feels like a step-back, check yourself type of game ahead for Chicago, who will be well scouted on how to slow down DeRozan and LaVine ahead of tip-off.

The numbers back the Bulls here, and I imagine the public will do the same, but I'll side with the books and take the Sixers to cover.

PICK: Sixers -2.5

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