Game Time: Friday, January 16, 2026 at 7:30 PM ET
Location: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
TV: YES Network, NBC Sports Chicago
Spread: Bulls -2.5
Total: 232.5 points
Alright Bulls fans, let me set the scene: we’re 19-21, coming off a thrilling 128-126 win over Utah where Vooch played out of his mind. We’re heading to Brooklyn to face a Nets team that’s 11-27 and has lost EIGHT of their last nine games.
This should be a layup, right? A guaranteed road win against a terrible team?
Except we’re 7-12 on the road, which means we’re basically allergic to winning away from Chicago. And the Nets, despite being awful, are still an NBA team capable of beating anyone on any given night.
So yeah, we should win this. But nothing is ever easy for the Chicago Bulls.
Current Records: We’re Mediocre, They’re Terrible
Bulls: 19-21 (7-12 on the road)
Nets: 11-27 (6-13 at home)
Let’s be clear about where both teams stand. We’re two games under .500 and clinging to playoff hopes. They’re 16 games under .500 and already thinking about the draft lottery.
This is a game we HAVE to win. Not “should win”—HAVE to win. If we’re serious about making the playoffs, we can’t lose to 11-27 teams on the road.
The problem? We’re 7-12 away from the United Center. We don’t travel well. We play down to competition. And we find ways to lose games we should win.
But the Nets have lost eight of their last nine. They’re broken, demoralized, and playing out the string. This is our chance to steal a road win and get back to .500.
Why This Game Should Be Easy (But Won’t Be)
1. The Nets Are Legitimately Bad
11-27. Eight losses in their last nine games. They can’t score in the paint (42.9 points in the paint per game—LAST in the East). They can’t rebound. They can’t defend.
This isn’t a competitive NBA team. This is a team that’s already given up on the season.
2. Vooch Is Playing Like Prime Vooch
Nikola Vučević just had a season-best game against Utah. He’s feeling confident, he’s scoring efficiently, and he’s controlling the glass.
Against Brooklyn’s soft interior defense, Vooch should absolutely dominate. If he can give us 20+ points and 12+ rebounds, we’re in great shape.
3. We’re Actually Good In Transition
We’re averaging 17.6 fast break points per game, which ranks 5th in the East. Brooklyn averages 11.2. That’s a massive advantage.
If we can push pace, get out in transition, and score easy buckets before their defense gets set, we should control this game.
4. They Can’t Defend The Paint
Brooklyn gives up points in the paint like it’s going out of style. They don’t have rim protection. They don’t have size. They don’t have physicality.
Vooch, DeMar in the mid-range, Zach attacking the basket—we should be able to score inside at will.
Why This Game Won’t Be Easy (Because We’re The Bulls)
1. We’re 7-12 On The Road
Seven wins, twelve losses away from home. We just don’t win on the road consistently. We get tight, we play scared, we let crowds get in our heads.
Even against a terrible Nets team, playing in Brooklyn is harder than playing at home.
2. Cam Thomas Can Get Hot
Cam Thomas is a walking bucket. When he’s feeling it, he can drop 30-40 on anybody. If he catches fire early, Brooklyn can hang around and make this a game.
3. We Play Down To Competition
This is the most Bulls thing ever—we’ll beat good teams and then lose to lottery teams. It’s like we can’t help ourselves.
The Nets are terrible, which means we’re going to make this game way closer than it should be.
4. Our Defense Is Still Suspect
We’re giving up 120.9 points per game. That’s not good. Even against a Nets team that can’t score consistently, we’re going to give up 110+ because that’s just who we are.
The Nikola Vučević Revenge Tour Continues
Vooch just had a monster game against Utah (his former team). Now he’s facing Brooklyn’s nonexistent interior defense.
If Vooch can’t dominate this matchup, something is seriously wrong. He should be getting 20 points and 10+ rebounds in his sleep against this Nets frontcourt.
Nic Claxton is solid, but he’s not going to stop Vooch from getting his. If Vučević plays like he did against Utah, we’re winning this game comfortably.
Key Matchups That’ll Decide This Game
DeMar DeRozan vs Mikal Bridges
DeMar’s mid-range game against Bridges’ defense. Mikal is a good defender, but DeMar has been doing this for 15 years. He’ll get his shots.
If DeMar can get 24-26 points efficiently, we’re in control.
Edge: DeMar at this stage of his career.
Zach LaVine vs Cam Thomas
Battle of the shooting guards who can both explode for 30+ on any night.
Zach needs to outplay a younger, less experienced guard. If Cam Thomas outscores Zach, that’s embarrassing.
Edge: Should be Zach, but both can go off.
Our Bench vs Their Bench
Coby White and our second unit have been solid lately. Brooklyn’s bench is thin and inconsistent.
If our bench can outscore theirs by 10-15 points, we cruise.
Edge: Bulls bench.
My Prediction: We Win, But It’s Closer Than It Should Be
We should blow out the Nets. They’re 11-27, they’ve lost eight of nine, and they can’t score in the paint.
But we’re the Bulls, so we’ll make this unnecessarily stressful.
Final Score: Bulls 118, Nets 110
We win by 8, cover the -2.5, and the under probably hits because both teams will go cold in the third quarter for no reason.
Vooch gets his 22/11. DeMar gets 25. Zach adds 22. And we escape with a road win that should have been easier.
Betting Picks
Best Bet: Bulls -2.5 ✓✓✓
We should beat an 11-27 team. Take the points.
Lean: Under 232.5 ✓
Both teams will go through scoring droughts. This stays under 230.
Player Prop: Nikola Vučević Over 18.5 Points ✓✓
Vooch against Brooklyn’s soft interior? Cash it.
Player Prop: DeMar DeRozan Over 24.5 Points ✓
DeMar is getting his mid-range buckets all night.
Keys To Victory
For the Bulls to win and cover:
Vooch dominates inside (20+ points, 12+ rebounds)
Win the fast break battle (18+ transition points)
DeMar and Zach combine for 45-50 points
Don’t let Cam Thomas get hot early
Bench outscores their bench by 10+
What kills us:
We play down to Brooklyn’s level
Cam Thomas drops 35+
We go cold from three in the second half
Turnovers lead to easy Nets transition buckets
We somehow lose to an 11-27 team and spiral into despair
The Honest Bulls Fan Take
This is a must-win game. Not “should win”—MUST WIN. If we lose to an 11-27 Nets team that’s lost eight of nine, we’re not a playoff team. We’re just a mediocre squad that can’t capitalize on opportunities.
We’re coming off a great win against Utah. Vooch is playing great. The Nets are terrible.
There’s no excuse for losing this game.
But I’ve been a Bulls fan long enough to know that “no excuse” doesn’t mean it won’t happen. We’ve lost games we had no business losing all season long.
Still, I’m cautiously optimistic. Brooklyn is really, really bad right now. If we just execute, play smart basketball, and don’t beat ourselves, we should win by 8-12 points.
Bulls 118, Nets 110. Book it. And please, don’t make this harder than it needs to be.
Go Bulls. Get to .500. Make the playoffs. Don’t screw this up.
Game Info Summary
When: Friday, January 16, 2026 at 7:30 PM ET
Where: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
TV: YES Network, NBC Sports Chicago
Records: Bulls 19-21, Nets 11-27
Spread: Bulls -2.5
Total: 232.5 points
Nets’ struggles:
Lost 8 of last 9 games
42.9 points in paint per game (LAST in East)
6-13 at home
Bulls’ advantages:
17.6 fast break PPG (5th in East)
Vooch coming off monster game vs Utah
Facing terrible interior defense
Key stat: Nets can’t defend the paint or rebound
Final picks:
Bulls -2.5 (lock it in)
Under 232.5 (lean)
Vučević Over 18.5 points
DeMar Over 24.5 points
Bottom line: We should win this. If we don’t, panic mode activated.
Go Bulls. Beat the Nets. Get back to .500.
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