The Bulls are better than their 16-18 record suggests and I expect to see the prove it in the second half of the season. They went into the break with a road win against the Pelicans and have a chance to come out of it in a favorable spot against the 76ers, who will be without Joel Embiid and Ben SImmons because of Covid protocols. Chicago has played surprisingly well without the services of injured forward Lauri Markkanen and the absence of Embiid should pave the way for Wendell Carter to have a big game Thursday.

The Bulls will be facing a Philadelphia team that is without Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons due to COVID-19 protocols. This should give Chicago an advantage, considering Embiid scored 50 points in the 76ers' home victory on Feb. 19. Take the Bulls to cover and even the season series.

I expect the Sixers to play hard tonight and take on the challenge of stepping up without Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons (COVID protocols), but I think they’ll come up short against the rapidly improving Bulls who have won six of their last nine. The three losses over that span were to elite teams such as the Suns, Nuggets, and Sixers with Embiid. (He scored 50.) Bulls to cover.

Joel Embiid had 50 points and 17 rebounds in Philly's 112-105 home win over Chicago on Feb. 19. The 76ers are 1-5 without him. He and Ben Simmons are out Thursday against a Bulls team that won six of nine entering the All-Star Break. Typically I hate playing the Bulls as favorites, but I'll lay the small number here.

Philadelphia is 1-5 this season when Joel Embiid doesn't play and 2-3 when Ben Simmons doesn't -- the Sixers are 0-1 when both don't. Neither will go Thursday as they remain in COVID protocols, which caused them to miss Sunday's All-Star Game. Chicago, meanwhile, will be getting reinforcements in the apparent return from injury of Lauri Markkanen and Otto Porter Jr. The Bulls are 9-2 ATS in their past 11 vs. teams with a losing road record -- Philly is 8-9 SU (6-9-2 ATS) away.