Philadelphia’s 8-2 start meets a Chicago team searching for answers after a 1-7 opening.
Philadelphia arrives at 8-2 and No. 9 in the power index; Chicago is 1-7 and ranked No. 27. Tyrese Maxey has 269 points and 53 assists in 10 games, while Bulls guard Josh Giddey has 61 assists in eight, making Chicago’s ability to contain Maxey without losing track of the playmaking a central matchup. The Bulls are allowing 129.6 points per game, and Philadelphia’s 106.6 allowed per game gives the visitors a clear edge in defensive results. Joel Embiid is probable, while Chicago lists Nicolas Claxton as questionable and Zach Collins out; controlling the paint could determine whether the Bulls can keep pace.