Pacers Pull Away Late to Defeat Bulls, 120–105

Despite a competitive start and a brief first-quarter edge, the Chicago Bulls were unable to keep pace with the Indiana Pacers down the stretch, falling 120–105 on Friday night, December 5, 2025, at the United Center.

Indiana, which entered the game short-handed due to multiple injuries, leaned on a strong offensive night from Pascal Siakam and timely perimeter shooting to secure its fifth win of the season. The loss dropped Chicago to 9–13 as the team continued to search for consistency amid a challenging early-December stretch.

The Bulls opened the game with energy, holding a 33–30 lead after the first quarter behind balanced scoring and solid defensive pressure. However, Indiana responded in the second quarter by tightening its defense and finding rhythm from beyond the arc. The Pacers outscored Chicago 32–24 in the period, taking a 62–57 lead into halftime.

Siakam proved difficult for the Bulls to contain throughout the night, finishing with a game-high 36 points on 13-of-24 shooting, including five three-pointers. He also added nine rebounds, giving Indiana a steady presence in both the half-court offense and transition.

Bennedict Mathurin added 28 points for the Pacers, connecting on six three-pointers and consistently attacking off the dribble. Andrew Nembhard contributed 15 points and seven assists, helping Indiana maintain offensive balance and limit costly turnovers during key stretches of the game.

Chicago remained within striking distance through much of the third quarter, trailing 92–83 entering the final period. Matas Buzelis continued his strong rookie campaign with 19 points and 12 rebounds, recording another double-double while playing nearly 35 minutes. Coby White led the Bulls in scoring with 22 points and added six assists, while Jevon Carter provided a spark off the bench with 14 points, including four three-pointers.

Despite those efforts, the Bulls struggled to generate sustained offense in the fourth quarter. Indiana extended its lead by attacking the paint and capitalizing on second-chance opportunities, while Chicago’s shooting efficiency dipped late. The Pacers outscored the Bulls 28–22 in the final frame to put the game out of reach.

Indiana finished the night shooting 53.6 percent from the field and 46.2 percent from three-point range, compared to Chicago’s 44.2 percent overall shooting. The Bulls committed 19 turnovers, which the Pacers converted into 22 points, a statistic that proved costly in a game where momentum frequently shifted.

The Bulls held an advantage in second-chance points, 18–7, but were unable to overcome Indiana’s perimeter shooting and ball movement. Chicago also struggled to defend without fouling at key moments, sending the Pacers to the free-throw line 16 times.

Friday’s loss marked the second time in less than a week that the Bulls fell to Indiana, following a narrow defeat on November 29. With the season nearing the quarter-mark, Chicago continues to juggle injuries and rotations while attempting to solidify its identity on both ends of the floor.

The Bulls will look to regroup as they continue their homestand, with an emphasis on ball security and late-game execution — areas that have become recurring themes during recent losses.