Bulls’ Winning Streak Faces Test as 76ers Visit Chicago
The surging Chicago Bulls look to extend their winning streak to five games as they welcome the Philadelphia 76ers to the United Center on Friday night. After enjoying a brief Christmas break, the Bulls (14-15) return home riding momentum from their recent success, while the 76ers (16-12) aim to bounce back from a disappointing loss to Brooklyn.
Chicago’s latest victory showcased their resilience and clutch performance, as they overcame a 10-point deficit with under six minutes remaining to sweep their two-game road series against the Atlanta Hawks. The comeback was capped by Coby White’s go-ahead free throw with just 1.9 seconds left on the clock. White’s 24-point performance included three critical steals, while Nikola Vučević contributed a solid double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Perhaps most impressive was Josh Giddey’s seventh triple-double of the season, as the versatile guard tallied 19 points, 15 assists, and 11 rebounds, further cementing his status as one of the league’s most complete players.
Philadelphia, meanwhile, is looking to recover from Tuesday’s 114-106 home loss to the Brooklyn Nets, where poor three-point shooting (7-of-27) proved costly. Despite a health scare when Joel Embiid briefly left the game in the third quarter after banging his right knee, the star center returned to lead the team with 27 points. Paul George added 19 points and four steals, while Andre Drummond made his presence felt off the bench with 12 points and 13 rebounds in just 17 minutes of action. Perhaps most concerning for the 76ers was Tyrese Maxey’s uncharacteristic offensive struggles, as their leading scorer was held to just 13 points on 3-of-14 shooting, though he did contribute defensively with four steals.
Both teams enter Friday’s matchup with injury concerns. The Bulls may be without rookie forward Matas Buzelis, who left Tuesday’s game with an apparent leg injury and didn’t return. The 76ers were already shorthanded in their previous game, missing VJ Edgecombe and Quentin Grimes due to illness, while Trendon Watford was sidelined with a thigh injury. The availability of these players could significantly impact the depth and rotations for both teams in what promises to be a competitive contest.
The statistical leaders for both squads highlight the star power that will be on display Friday night. For Chicago, Coby White leads the scoring charge with 21.4 points per game, while Josh Giddey has been filling the stat sheet with averages of 20.0 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 9.1 assists. Philadelphia counters with Tyrese Maxey, who despite his recent struggles remains one of the league’s premier scorers with averages of 31.0 points and 6.9 assists per game. Embiid contributes 21.0 points nightly, and Drummond has been a force on the glass, pulling down 9.7 rebounds per game despite coming off the bench.
This compelling NBA matchup between two Eastern Conference rivals with contrasting momentum will tip off at 8:00 PM ET on Friday, December 26, 2025, and can be viewed on Chicago Sports Network or streamed on Fubo. The Bulls will look to capitalize on home-court advantage and their recent hot streak, while the 76ers aim to rediscover their shooting touch and return to the win column. With star talent on both sides and potential playoff implications down the road, basketball fans won’t want to miss what promises to be an exciting contest at the United Center.
