The Cleveland Cavaliers visit the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night at the United Center, both teams aiming to rebound from recent losses. Cleveland enters with a 15-12 record after a 119-111 defeat to the Charlotte Hornets, while Chicago stands at 10-15 following a 114-104 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. ET, with the Cavaliers favored by 5.5 points.
Game Preview
The Cleveland Cavaliers (15-12) face the Chicago Bulls (10-15) in a crucial Central Division matchup on December 17, 2025, at the United Center in Chicago. Both teams are looking to snap skids, with Cleveland going 4-6 in its last 10 games and 6-5 on the road this season. The Bulls have struggled more recently, posting a 2-8 record over their past 10 outings but holding a 6-6 mark at home.
Cleveland comes off a 119-111 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday, while Chicago fell 114-104 to the New Orleans Pelicans the same day. Injuries will impact both sides: Cavaliers center Evan Mobley (calf) and forward Larry Nance Jr. (calf) are out, potentially weakening their frontcourt. For the Bulls, guard Ayo Dosunmu (thumb) is questionable.
Betting Odds and Projections
According to SportsLine consensus odds, Cleveland is a 5.5-point favorite, with the over/under set at 241.5 points. The money line lists the Cavaliers at -208 and the Bulls at +173. The SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates games 10,000 times, recommends the under on the total, noting it has hit in two of Cleveland's last three games and four of Chicago's last five.
Projections highlight Cleveland's Donovan Mitchell averaging 27.7 points, with six Cavaliers players expected to score 11.5 or more. For Chicago, Josh Giddey is projected for 19.8 points, with five Bulls players reaching at least 11 points. FanDuel analysis supports the under at 242.5 points, citing both teams' middling offensive ratings over the last 10 games—Cleveland 15th and Chicago 28th—and Chicago's recent games averaging 225.1 total points.
This matchup offers both teams a chance to regain momentum in the division, with Cleveland's road resilience tested against Chicago's home effort amid injury challenges.
