Bulls vs. Sixers NBA expert prediction and odds for Tuesday, Jan. 2 (Trust Philly at home)

The Philadelphia 76ers and Chicago Bulls will face off for the third time in less than a month on Tuesday night, with Chicago leading the season series 2-0. 

Joel Embiid, who has missed the last four games for Philly with an ankle injury, is not listed on the team’s injury report for Tuesday night. This is a huge boost for the Sixers, as Embiid dominated the Bulls – scoring 40 points – even in a loss against the team earlier this season. 

Chicago has played well with Zach LaVine out of the lineup, but both he and starting center Nikola Vucevic will be sidelined for Tuesday’s game. 

Does that give Philly a distinct advantage? Oddsmakers seem to think so, setting the team as a 10.5-point favorite at home. 

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Bulls vs. Sixers odds, spread and total

Bulls vs. Sixers how to watch

• Date: Tuesday, Jan. 2
• Game Time: 7:00 p.m. EST
• Venue: Wells Fargo Center
• How to Watch (TV): NBC Sports Philadelphia, NBC Sports Chicago
• Bulls Record: 15-19
• Sixers Record: 22-10

Bulls vs. Sixers injury reports

Chicago Bulls injury report

• Lonzo Ball – out
• Onuralp Bitim – out
• Henri Drell – out
• Torrey Craig – out
• Zach LaVine – out
• Nikola Vucevic – out

Philadelphia 76ers injury report

• Ricky Council IV – out
• Kenneth Lofton Jr. – out
• De’Anthony Melton – out
• Terquavion Smith – out

Bulls vs. Sixers key players to watch

Chicago Bulls

Coby White: With LaVine out, White has taken on a major role for the Bulls, pushing his season averages to 17.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. The Bulls guard scored 24 and 20 points in his two meetings with the Sixers this season, and he’s averaging 22.6 points per game since the start of December. 

Philadelphia 76ers

Joel Embiid: The reigning league MVP, Embiid is set to return to action after missing his last four games. It’s unclear if there will be any restriction on the Sixers big man, but Embiid should be in line for a big game with Nikola Vucevic out. He scored 40 points against Chicago in his first meeting against the team this season. 

Bulls vs. Sixers prediction and pick

This is a major number to lay with the Sixers, but I’m willing to do it since the team has been so dominant at home. 

Philly is 11-3 against the spread as a home favorite this season, although it did not cover as a double-digit favorite against the Bulls earlier this season. 

Still, the Sixers should be back at full strength (minus Melton) for this game. Meanwhile, the Bulls are down two starters, and they’ll be shorthanded with players that can guard Embiid since Vucevic is out. 

Chicago is 6-6 ATS as a road dog this season, but the team is just 4-10 straight up on the road. I like the Sixers to get back to some home cooking on Tuesday. 

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

Find Peter Dewey's NBA betting record here (futures included). You can also follow my daily plays on BetStamp here.