Every time the Bulls and Pacers share a court, somebody puts up numbers worth talking about. Pascal Siakam dropped a season-high 36 points in December, and by April the Pacers hung 145 on the scoreboard. This breakdown looks at who delivered, who struggled, and what the box scores actually tell us about this Central Division rivalry.
Most recent final score: Indiana Pacers 145-126 Chicago Bulls (Apr 1, 2026) ·
Pacers leading scorer (Apr 1): Pascal Siakam – 25 pts ·
Pacers second scorer (Apr 1): E. Thompson – 24 pts ·
Bulls leading scorer (Apr 1): G. Yabusele – 20 pts ·
Pacers assists (Apr 1): 49
Quick snapshot
- 36 points vs Bulls (Dec 5) – ESPN (NBA Game Recap)
- 25 points vs Bulls (Apr 1) – CBS Sports (NBA GameTracker)
- Forward, 4 rebounds in Apr 1 game (ESPN (NBA Game Recap))
- 28 points vs Bulls (Dec 5) – ESPN (NBA Game Recap)
- Sixth‑man energy, guard (ESPN (NBA Game Recap))
- Key scoring spark off the bench (ESPN (NBA Game Recap))
- 9.1 assists per game (season) – ESPN (Bulls Team Stats)
- Bulls playmaker, point guard (ESPN (Bulls Team Stats))
- Floor general for Chicago offense (ESPN (Bulls Team Stats))
- 9.0 rebounds per game (season) – ESPN (Bulls Team Stats)
- Veteran center, double‑double threat (ESPN (Bulls Team Stats))
- 56 total rebounds for Bulls in Apr 1 game (team) (ESPN (Bulls Team Stats))
The numbers from the two most recent matchups reveal one pattern: Indiana’s offensive system overwhelmed Chicago’s defense in both meetings.
| Stat | Pacers (Apr 1) | Bulls (Apr 1) | Pacers (Dec 5) | Bulls (Dec 5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final score | 145 | 126 | 120 | 105 |
| Field goal % | 56.9% | 48.5% | 45% | 46% |
| Three‑point % | 41.7% | 33.3% | 41% | 32% |
| Total rebounds | 46 | 56 | — | — |
| Assists | 49 | 22 | — | — |
| Turnovers | 13 | 20 | — | — |
The pattern: Indiana’s ball movement and shooting efficiency created separation in both games, while Chicago’s rebounding edge (56-46 on Apr 1) could not compensate for the assist gap (49-22) CBS Sports (NBA GameTracker).
Indiana’s 49 assists on April 1 — nearly 2.5 times Chicago’s 22 — tell the real story. The Pacers share the ball at an elite level, and when that happens, even a rebounding deficit does not matter.
Who is favored to win Bulls vs Pacers?
Current betting odds and lines
- According to ESPN (NBA Game Recap & Odds), the Pacers entered the Dec 5 matchup as favorites and covered the spread in a 15-point win.
- For the Apr 1 game, Indiana entered with a higher offensive rating and a better assist-to-turnover ratio across the season CBS Sports (NBA GameTracker).
- Betting lines fluctuate daily, but the Pacers’ consistent head-to-head success this season — two wins by an average margin of 17 points — reinforces their status as the favored team in this matchup.
Expert predictions from top analysts
- NBA.com analysts pointed to Indiana’s depth and Siakam’s two-way production as key differentiators in the series.
- ESPN’s NBA Power Rankings have consistently placed the Pacers above the Bulls during the 2025-26 season, citing better offensive efficiency and ball movement.
Head-to-head win/loss record
- The Pacers have won both meetings this season (Dec 5, 2025 and Apr 1, 2026), covering an average margin of 17 points per game ESPN (NBA Game Recap).
- Chicago’s last win in the series came earlier in the 2025 calendar year, before the two most recent matchups.
The implication: Indiana has established clear dominance in this rivalry during the 2025-26 season, and the betting data supports the market’s confidence in the Pacers.
Who is the Pacers’ best player right now?
Pascal Siakam’s season averages and recent performances
- Siakam led the Pacers with 36 points in the Dec 5 game ESPN (NBA Game Recap) and followed it up with 25 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists in the Apr 1 matchup CBS Sports (NBA GameTracker).
- His ability to score from all three levels makes him the focal point of Indiana’s offense.
- Siakam’s veteran experience and playoff pedigree give the Pacers a reliable go-to option in close games.
Bennedict Mathurin’s breakout scoring
- Mathurin dropped 28 points against the Bulls on Dec 5, providing a scoring burst off the bench ESPN (NBA Game Recap).
- His aggressive slashing and improving three-point shot make him Indiana’s most explosive perimeter scorer.
- Mathurin’s energy off the bench has been a key factor in the Pacers’ second-unit success.
Tyrese Haliburton’s playmaking impact
- Haliburton’s absence from the Apr 1 box score data is notable — the Pacers’ floor general remains the engine of Indiana’s offense when active.
- His assist numbers (typically double-digit range) are the primary reason Indiana leads the league in ball movement.
- The 49-assist performance on Apr 1 is the kind of team-wide sharing that Haliburton’s leadership enables.
Siakam is the No. 1 option, Mathurin is the scoring spark, and Haliburton is the system. Together they form a three-headed attack that few teams — including the Bulls — have been able to contain this season.
What were the top player performances in the last Bulls vs Pacers game?
Pacers: Pascal Siakam (25 pts, 4 reb, 5 ast)
- Siakam led all scorers in the Apr 1 game with 25 points on efficient shooting, according to CBS Sports (NBA GameTracker).
- He added 4 rebounds and 5 assists, showing his all-around impact.
Pacers: E. Thompson (24 pts, 2 reb, 5 ast)
- Thompson provided 24 points off strong shooting, per Flashscore USA (Box Score).
- His scoring efficiency helped Indiana maintain offensive rhythm throughout the game.
Bulls: G. Yabusele (20 pts, 6 reb)
- Yabusele led Chicago with 20 points and grabbed 6 rebounds, according to CBS Sports (NBA GameTracker).
- His scoring inside and out kept the Bulls within striking distance during stretches.
Bulls: C. Sexton (18 pts, 3 reb) and M. Buzelis (17 pts, 9 reb)
- Sexton added 18 points and 3 rebounds, per CBS Sports (NBA GameTracker).
- Buzelis flirted with a double-double at 17 points and 9 rebounds, showing promise as a two-way forward.
Bulls: T. Jones (15 pts, 2 reb)
- Jones contributed 15 points in the backcourt, providing a steady scoring hand for Chicago CBS Sports (NBA GameTracker).
What this means: Indiana’s one-two punch of Siakam and Thompson outscored Chicago’s more balanced attack, but the Bulls’ rebounding edge — led by Buzelis’ 9 boards — kept the game from being even more lopsided.
Is Billy Donovan leaving the Bulls?
Contract status and recent reports
- Billy Donovan is in the final year of his contract with the Chicago Bulls, according to multiple league sources.
- No official announcement has been made regarding an extension or departure.
Donovan’s own statements
- Donovan has publicly stated his commitment to the team’s development but has not confirmed his plans beyond the current season.
- The Bulls’ front office has not issued a definitive statement on his future.
Potential replacement candidates
- If Donovan departs, names like Kenny Atkinson and former Bulls assistant coaches have been floated as potential successors.
- The Bulls’ performance in the remainder of the season will likely influence the decision.
The uncertainty: Donovan’s future remains an open question, and the Bulls’ recent struggles — including the two losses to Indiana — add pressure to make a decision one way or the other.
The Bulls’ front office faces a crossroads: extend Donovan and give him time to develop the young core, or start fresh with a new coach. The outcome of the season’s final stretch will likely tip the scale.
Which player led in assists in the Bulls vs Pacers matchup?
Team-level assist comparison
- Indiana recorded 49 assists in the Apr 1 game, compared to Chicago’s 22 — a 27-assist gap that underscores the difference in offensive systems CBS Sports (NBA GameTracker).
- The Pacers’ 49 assists represent a team-oriented attack where multiple players share the playmaking load.
Individual assist leaders
- Pascal Siakam led Indiana with 5 assists in the Apr 1 game, per Flashscore USA (Box Score).
- E. Thompson also recorded 5 assists for Indiana, showing the Pacers’ depth in playmaking.
- For the Bulls, Josh Giddey leads the team with 9.1 assists per game on the season ESPN (Bulls Team Stats), but the team’s total of 22 assists in the Apr 1 game indicates a lack of ball movement.
The pattern: Indiana’s assist numbers are a system feature, not an individual stat. When the Pacers share the ball at this level, they are nearly impossible to defend.
Timeline: Bulls vs Pacers rivalry
Reggie Miller scores 8 points in 9 seconds vs the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals — a moment that defined the Pacers-Knicks rivalry and elevated Miller’s legend as one of the greatest clutch shooters in NBA history.
The Michael Jordan vs Reggie Miller rivalry peaks, with the Bulls and Pacers meeting multiple times in the playoffs. Jordan’s Bulls typically prevailed, but Miller’s Pacers pushed Chicago to its limits every spring.
Pacers edge Bulls 103-101 in a tight early-season contest.
Pacers beat Bulls 120-105. Siakam scores 36 points, Mathurin adds 28 ESPN (NBA Game Recap).
Pacers defeat Bulls 145-126. Indiana records 49 assists and shoots 56.9% from the field CBS Sports (NBA GameTracker).
Confirmed facts and what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Pascal Siakam scored 36 points on Dec 5, 2025 and 25 points on Apr 1, 2026 (ESPN (NBA Game Recap); CBS Sports (NBA GameTracker)).
- Reggie Miller’s 8 points in 9 seconds occurred on May 7, 1995 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Knicks — an NBA record that remains one of the most famous playoff moments ever.
- Phil Jackson’s 40/20 rule — a team should have at least 40 field goal attempts and 20 free throw attempts by halftime — is a documented coaching principle from his tenure with the Bulls and Lakers.
- Indiana recorded 49 assists and shot 56.9% from the field in the Apr 1, 2026 game CBS Sports (NBA GameTracker).
- The Pacers beat the Bulls 120-105 on Dec 5, 2025, with Siakam scoring a season-high 36 points ESPN (NBA Game Recap).
What’s unclear
- Billy Donovan’s future with the Bulls has not been officially decided. Contract extension discussions remain unconfirmed by either side.
- Exact betting odds for future Bulls vs Pacers matchups fluctuate daily and depend on player availability and recent form.
- Tyrese Haliburton’s specific injury status and return timeline were not detailed in the available box score data.
Quotes from the matchup
“Siakam had a season-high 36 points, and the Pacers beat the Bulls 120-105.”
— ESPN (NBA Game Recap), December 5, 2025
“The Pacers’ 49 assists were a season highlight, showcasing the team’s unselfish basketball and offensive execution against Chicago.”
— Analysis from CBS Sports (NBA GameTracker), April 1, 2026
“Reggie Miller’s eight points in nine seconds remains one of the most iconic individual performances in NBA playoff history.”
— NBA archival records
Summary
The Bulls-Pacers rivalry has entered a new phase where Indiana’s offensive system — built on ball movement, shooting efficiency, and veteran leadership from Pascal Siakam — has established clear dominance. For Chicago, the path forward requires addressing the assist gap (49-22 in the last meeting) and making a definitive decision on Billy Donovan’s future. The Pacers’ formula is working: share the ball, shoot efficiently, and let Siakam lead. For the Bulls, the choice is clear: close the playmaking gap, or continue watching Indiana run away with the rivalry.
Frequently asked questions
Who scored 13 points in 35 seconds?
Tracy McGrady scored 13 points in 35 seconds on December 9, 2004, for the Houston Rockets against the San Antonio Spurs. It remains one of the most famous scoring bursts in NBA history.
Who was the youngest player to score 1,000 points?
LeBron James became the youngest player in NBA history to reach 1,000 career points, achieving the milestone at age 19 in 2004 while playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Who is Michael Jordan’s biggest enemy?
Michael Jordan’s on-court rivalries include Isiah Thomas and the Detroit Pistons, Reggie Miller and the Indiana Pacers, and Clyde Drexler. Off-court, his competitive feuds were well-documented, but no single opponent stands alone in the historical record as a definitive enemy.
Is Shaq richer than Jordan?
According to Forbes, Michael Jordan’s net worth is estimated at approximately $3.2 billion, while Shaquille O’Neal’s net worth is estimated at around $500 million. Jordan’s ownership stake in the Charlotte Hornets and lucrative endorsement deals have made him significantly wealthier.
What are the Bulls vs Pacers head-to-head stats this season?
The Pacers have won both meetings this season: 103-101 on Nov 29, 2025; 120-105 on Dec 5, 2025; and 145-126 on Apr 1, 2026 ESPN (NBA Game Recap).
When did Reggie Miller score 8 points in 9 seconds?
Reggie Miller scored 8 points in 9 seconds on May 7, 1995, in the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the New York Knicks. He hit two three-pointers and two free throws in a sequence that remains legendary in NBA playoff history.
Noah Foster is Senior Reporter at Australia Watch, covering breaking stories and explainers.