NBA on TNT: 76ers Host the Bulls in Early Game

76ers Look to Rebound After Celtics Loss

The Chicago Bulls and the Philadelphia 76ers will meet on Thursday at Wells Fargo Center. This will be the early game on TNT's national coverage. Tip0ff is set for 8 pm EST.

Oddsmakers opened the 76ers as -11.5-point favorites versus the Bulls, while the game's total opened at 215. The 76ers are now 12-point favorites. The total is all the way up to 220.

Philadelphia suffered a 105-87 loss to the Boston Celtics on Tuesday. They hope for a better showing against a Chicago team that missed the playoffs last season.

The 76ers fancy themselves as a top-flight contender in the Eastern Conference. They didn't look the part while giving a subpar effort on both ends of the court in their opener.

The Bulls are without forward Lauri Markkanen due to an elbow injury. Offseason acquisition Jabari Parker will begin the season as a reserve.

Bulls Have High Hopes for 2018-19

The Bulls were 27-55 last season and look to get a good bit better in a weaker Eastern Conference. Parker initially seemed miffed that he wasn't going to be the starting small forward. He feels healthy after recovering from the second ACL tear in his left knee in four NBA campaigns.

First-round pick Wendell Carter Jr. is in the starting lineup. Along with Bobby Portis, and the latter will be a restricted free agent after the season.

G Denzel Valentine (ankle) and F Cristiano Felicio (ankle) are questionable for the opener.

76ers Looked Bad in Opening Game

The 76ers are 0-1 on the young season. As bad as they looked against Boston there is no reason to panic for 76er fans.

Second-year guard Markelle Fultz made his first NBA start against Boston. He struggled the whole night. Fultz had five points on 2-of-7 shooting in 24 minutes. Fultz played in only 14 games last season due to physical and mental issues.

He was the No. 1 overall pick and Philadelphia plans to push his development early in the campaign.

The 76ers won two of last season's three meetings.

F Wilson Chandler (hamstring), G Jerryd Bayless (knee) and C Mike Muscala (ankle) are all expected to miss their second straight game.

PREDICTION: 76ers 101, Bulls 91

NBA Betting Odds & Trends

Chicago Bulls
Bulls are 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Chicago is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 6 games
Chicago is 4-13 ATS in its last 17 games on the road
Bulls are 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Chicago is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Philadelphia
Chicago is 14-3 SU in its last 17 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Chicago's last 14 games when playing Philadelphia
Chicago is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Chicago is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Chicago's last 10 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia

Philadelphia 76ers
76ers are 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
Philadelphia is 19-6 SU in its last 25 games
76ers are 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
Philadelphia is 18-7 ATS in its last 25 games at home
76ers are 22-3 SU in its last 25 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games at home
Philadelphia is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Chicago
Philadelphia is 3-14 SU in its last 17 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Philadelphia's last 14 games when playing Chicago
Philadelphia is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Chicago
Philadelphia is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Philadelphia's last 10 games when playing at home against Chicago

Next up:
Chicago home to Detroit Saturday, October 20
Philadelphia home to Orlando Saturday, October 20

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