Game Time: Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET
Location: United Center, Chicago
TV: CHSN, Jazz+, KJZZ
Spread: Bulls -2.5
Total: 245 points
Alright Bulls fans, this should be a layup. We’re 18-21 and hosting the Utah Jazz, who are 14-25 and absolutely terrible on the road at 5-13. We’re at home, where we’re actually decent at 11-9. We’re favored by 2.5 points.
This should be an easy win, right?
Except nothing is easy for the Chicago Bulls. And to make things more complicated, Lauri Markkanen is coming back to the United Center for his revenge game, probably ready to drop 35 on us just to prove a point.
So yeah, we’re favored, but I’m not counting this as a W until the final buzzer.
Current Records: We’re Bad, They’re Worse
Bulls: 18-21 (11-9 at home)
Jazz: 14-25 (5-13 on the road)
Let’s be honest—both teams are bad. We’re three games under .500. They’re 11 games under .500. Neither of us is making noise in the playoff race.
But here’s the key difference: we’re at home, where we’ve been relatively competent (11-9). They’re 5-13 on the road, which means they’re basically a free win for any team with a pulse when they leave Utah.
On paper, this is a game we HAVE to win. At home. Against a worse team. With a struggling road record.
If we lose this game, we might as well start the tank.
Why We’re Only 2.5-Point Favorites (Which Is Embarrassing)
1. Our Defense Is A Disaster
We’re giving up 126.9 points per game. One hundred and twenty-six point nine. That’s bottom-five-in-the-league bad.
Utah scores 114.5 per game, but they just dropped 123 on Cleveland. If they can score 123 on the Cavs, what are they going to do to our Swiss cheese defense?
2. Lauri Markkanen Is Going To Be Motivated
Lauri Markkanen used to play for us. We drafted him. We traded him. And now he’s turned into an All-Star in Utah.
You think he’s not circling this game on his calendar? He’s going to come into the United Center ready to prove we made a mistake letting him go. Expect 30+ points and a lot of “I told you so” vibes.
3. We’re Inconsistent As Hell
We’re 7-2 in games decided by 3 points or fewer, which sounds great until you realize it means we’re in close games ALL THE TIME. We don’t blow anybody out. We don’t dominate. We just survive by the skin of our teeth.
Against Utah, that might be good enough. But it also means we’re never comfortable.
4. Utah Just Beat Cleveland
The Jazz are coming off a 123-112 win over the Cavaliers. That’s a legit win against a good team. They’ve got confidence right now.
If they bring that same energy to Chicago, this game could be tighter than the spread suggests.
Why The Bulls Should Win This Game
Okay, enough doom and gloom. Let me make the case for why we should absolutely beat Utah:
1. We’re At Home
11-9 at the United Center. Not great, but respectable. When we play at home, we shoot better, defend better, and generally look like a competent basketball team.
Utah is 5-13 on the road. They’re terrible away from Salt Lake City. This should be a massive advantage.
2. We’ve Got More Offensive Firepower
DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine can both drop 25-30 on any given night. When both are clicking, we can score with anybody.
Utah has Lauri and Keyonte George (who’s been solid as a rookie), but they don’t have the same scoring depth we do.
3. Utah’s Defense Is Worse Than Ours
We give up 126.9 points per game. Utah gives up 124.3. Both defenses are terrible, but theirs is slightly worse.
In a shootout, we should have the edge because we’ve got more proven scorers.
4. We’re Clutch In Close Games
7-2 in games decided by 3 points or fewer. When the game is on the line, we tend to find ways to win.
If this game comes down to the final possession (and it probably will), I trust DeMar and Zach more than I trust Lauri and the Jazz.
5. We NEED This Win
We’re 18-21 and fighting to stay relevant. Every home game against a worse team is a must-win.
If we lose to a 14-25 Jazz team at home, the season is basically over. Our guys know that. Desperation should fuel us.
The Lauri Markkanen Revenge Game
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: Lauri Markkanen is coming back to Chicago.
We drafted Lauri 7th overall in 2017. He showed flashes but never became the star we hoped he’d be. We traded him to Cleveland, he got traded to Utah, and now he’s an All-Star averaging 25+ points in his last five games.
What To Expect From Lauri
Lauri is going to be aggressive. He’s going to take 20+ shots. He’s going to try to prove that trading him was a mistake.
And honestly? He might be right. Lauri has turned into exactly the stretch big man we desperately need. Watching him torch us is going to hurt.
But here’s the thing—we’ve got enough firepower to match him. If DeMar and Zach both show up, Lauri can score 35 and we can still win.
How To Defend Lauri
The short answer? We can’t. Lauri is 7 feet tall, shoots 40% from three, and can post up smaller defenders.
Our best bet is to make him work for everything, limit his open threes, and hope he goes cold in the fourth quarter.
If Lauri stays hot all game? We’re cooked.
Key Matchups That’ll Decide This Game
DeMar DeRozan vs Lauri Markkanen
This isn’t a traditional matchup, but it’s the storyline. DeMar is our veteran leader. Lauri is the former Bull trying to prove himself.
Whoever has the bigger game probably swings the result.
Edge: DeMar at home, but Lauri’s motivation is real.
Zach LaVine vs Keyonte George
Zach needs to dominate a rookie guard. George has been solid, but Zach is a veteran All-Star. If Zach doesn’t outplay a first-year player, that’s a problem.
Edge: Zach, and it’s not close.
Our Bench vs Their Bench
Coby White and Andre Drummond need to outplay Utah’s second unit. Bench depth could be the difference in a close game.
Edge: Slight edge to us at home.
The Total: Over 245 Is A Lock
Both teams give up 124+ points per game. Both teams can score. Neither team plays defense.
This game is going 250+ unless both teams forget how to shoot.
Over 245 is the easiest bet on the board.
My Prediction: We Win, But It’s Ugly
We should win this game. We’re at home. They’re terrible on the road. We’ve got more talent.
But it’s going to be closer than it should be. Lauri is going to go off. Utah is going to hit threes. And we’re going to survive by 4-5 points.
Final Score: Bulls 124, Jazz 120
We win, we cover the -2.5, and the over cashes easily. DeMar and Zach combine for 55 points, Lauri gets his 32, and we escape with a necessary home victory.
Betting Picks
Best Bet: Over 245 ✓✓✓
Both teams are allergic to defense. This is flying over.
Strong Lean: Bulls -2.5 ✓✓
We should win at home against a 5-13 road team. Take the points.
Player Prop: Lauri Markkanen Over 27.5 Points
Revenge game energy. He’s going to eat.
Player Prop: DeMar DeRozan Over 24.5 Points
DeMar at home in a shootout? Cash it.
Keys To Victory
For the Bulls to win and cover:
DeMar and Zach combine for 50+ points
Limit Lauri to under 30 points (good luck)
Win the three-point battle (make 15+)
Don’t turn the ball over 15+ times
Get 15-20 from Coby White off the bench
What kills us:
Lauri drops 40+
Utah hits 18+ threes (they hit 17 last game)
We go cold in the fourth quarter
Zach has an off night
We give up 130+ points
The Honest Bulls Fan Take
This is a game we absolutely HAVE to win. At home. Against a 14-25 team that’s 5-13 on the road.
If we lose this, the season is over. We’re not making the playoffs. We’re not even making the play-in. We’re just existing.
Lauri is going to be motivated, and watching him drop 30+ on us is going to sting. But we’ve got enough firepower to outscore Utah even if Lauri goes off.
DeMar and Zach need to show up. Our defense needs to not be completely embarrassing. And we need to take care of business at home.
Bulls 124, Jazz 120. We win, we cover, the over cashes, and we move on.
Go Bulls. Don’t screw this up.
Game Info Summary
When: Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET
Where: United Center, Chicago
TV: CHSN, Jazz+, KJZZ
Records: Bulls 18-21, Jazz 14-25
Spread: Bulls -2.5
Total: 245 points
Key storyline: Lauri Markkanen returns to Chicago
Bulls at home: 11-9 record
Jazz on road: 5-13 record (awful)
Bulls in close games: 7-2 record
Defensive disasters:
Bulls giving up 126.9 PPG
Jazz giving up 124.3 PPG
Final picks:
Over 245 (lock it in)
Bulls -2.5 (should win at home)
Lauri Markkanen Over 27.5 points (revenge game)
DeMar DeRozan Over 24.5 points
Bottom line: We should win this. If we don’t, it’s time to panic.
Go Bulls. Beat Utah and Lauri. Protect home court.
The post Bulls vs Jazz Preview & Prediction Game Today January 14: Can We Beat Lauri’s Return and Actually Win At Home? appeared first on UrbanMatter.
