Bulls vs. 76ers: Watch NBA online, live stream, TV channel, time, odds, picks, analysis

The Bulls will open their season with a visit to Philadelphia to take on the Sixers

By Jack Maloney

Oct 18, 2018 at 2:32 pm ET • 1 min read

The 2018-19 NBA season has started for many teams, but not the Chicago Bulls, who will get their season underway on Thursday night when they take on the Philadelphia 76ers.

Ben Simmons and Co. already have a game under their belt, suffering an opening night loss to the Boston Celtics. So they'll be especially eager to defend their home court, where they went a stellar 30-11 last season.

How to watch Bulls at 76ers

Date: Thursday, Oct. 18
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Wells Fargo Center -- Philadelphia
TV: TNT
Streaming: fuboTV (free trial - NBA League Pass add-on available)
Live stats: GameTracker
Odds: 76ers -11

Odds and analysis

Check Sportsline's NBA pick sheet for all your daily odds.

Storylines

Bulls: The young Bulls are not expected to be good this season, and Zach LaVine told our own James Herbert that they've heard that doubt. So what better way for them to start the season than against one of the best young teams in the league, the Sixers. This is a perfect chance for the Bulls to prove that they're better than people think they are. Unfortunately, they'll have to start without second-year big man Lauri Markkanen, who is out with an elbow injury.

76ers: Coming off a 4-1 defeat in the second-round of the playoffs last season to a shorthanded Celtics team, the Sixers had their chance at revenge on opening night. They couldn't get it done, however, losing by 18 points. That slightly embarassing loss on national TV should provide plenty of motivation for them to take care of a Bulls team that should be pretty bad this season, especially on defense. One key thing to watch for with the Sixers is how Markelle Fultz plays as the 2017 No. 1 pick has joined the starting lineup.

Game prediction, pick

The Bulls are going to be bad this season, possibly historically bad on defense. Plus, they're without Markkanen, who is already their best player. Combine that with the fact that the Sixers are at home, where they were awesome last season, and coming off a tough loss, and I'll take the Sixers all day in this one.