Chicago Bulls vs Charlotte Hornets Picks and Predictions for Friday December 12 2025
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Game Information
The Chicago Bulls (9–14, 3–9 away) travel to Spectrum Center to face the Charlotte Hornets (7–17, 5–7 home) in a matchup between two struggling Eastern Conference teams looking to build momentum. Chicago enters riding a seven-game losing streak, while Charlotte has shown occasional flashes of improvement despite their record. For more expert predictions across tonight’s slate, be sure to check out all of our updated free NBA Picks before placing your wagers.
Team Overview: Chicago Bulls
Chicago’s season continues to slip, with the team now on a seven-game skid and showing significant defensive vulnerabilities. The Bulls allow 122.6 points per game—one of the highest marks in the league—and despite averaging a strong 117.3 on offense, they have not been able to keep games close consistently. Josh Giddey remains the bright spot, averaging 20.3 PPG while providing playmaking and rebounding, but the Bulls’ inability to close games and defend the perimeter has been a major issue. Their last five outings have included multiple blowout losses, most recently a 32-point home defeat to Golden State.
Team Overview: Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte has lost seven of its last ten but has shown more competitive stretches than Chicago recently. The Hornets average 114.2 points per game while allowing 118.3—a slight defensive improvement compared to earlier in the season. Miles Bridges leads the team with 21.0 PPG, providing offensive stability and shot creation. Charlotte’s recent win against Toronto and competitive showing against Denver suggest they remain capable of matching up with mid-tier offenses, especially at home where they are slightly better at 5–7.
Key Players to Watch
Josh Giddey (CHI) – Chicago’s leading scorer and primary offensive initiator. His ability to drive, facilitate, and rebound is essential to the Bulls staying competitive. Miles Bridges (CHA) – Charlotte’s go-to scorer at all three levels. If Chicago’s defense collapses as it often does, Bridges could have a high-usage scoring night. If LaMelo Ball plays, Charlotte’s offensive ceiling jumps significantly, giving them a strong advantage in pace and playmaking.
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Injury Report
Chicago has a long list of players listed as game-time decisions: Jalen Smith, Isaac Okoro, Ayo Dosunmu, Tre Jones, and Kevin Huerter. Their availability could dramatically impact Chicago’s rotation. Charlotte lists LaMelo Ball, Moussa Diabate, Grant Williams, Josh Green, and Pat Connaughton all as questionable, giving this game considerable lineup volatility.
Matchup Breakdown
This matchup features two poor defenses but slightly contrasting strengths. Chicago plays faster and scores more efficiently but collapses on defense far too often, particularly against athletic wings and guards. Charlotte, meanwhile, plays more disciplined half-court sets and tends to keep games closer at home, even when undermanned. If LaMelo Ball plays, Charlotte gains a clear backcourt advantage; if he doesn’t, this game becomes a battle of which team can string together defensive stops—historically, neither has done so consistently. Rebounding and turnover margin will likely determine the outcome, with Charlotte holding a small edge in both categories.
Betting Outlook
The game opened as essentially a pick-em, with Chicago favored slightly. Given Chicago’s losing streak, defensive issues, and injury uncertainty, Charlotte appears to offer more value at home, especially if Ball is upgraded to available. The total is high at 236.5, and with both defenses ranked near the bottom of the league, an over remains plausible depending on lineup confirmations. Make sure you know about how the fans are looking on prediction markets for the Bulls with the Fliff promo code. The best sportsbooks are the best way to go when you are betting on the Hornets. Make sure when you place your Bulls vs Hornets bet you are using the bet365 bonus code.
Final Score Prediction
Charlotte Hornets 118, Chicago Bulls 113
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