The Denver Nuggets, aiming to halt a three-game skid, travel to face the Chicago Bulls in a cross-conference matchup at the United Center. Denver, sitting third in the Western Conference, relies on Nikola Jokic’s triple-double prowess amid frontcourt injuries, while the Bulls, 11th in the East and losers of three straight, seek stability post-trade deadline with key guards questionable. This game pits Denver’s efficient offense (120.1 PPG) against Chicago’s rebounding edge, potentially leading to a high-scoring affair despite both teams’ recent defensive lapses.
Venue Location
United Center, Chicago, IL. This is a home game for the Bulls.
Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET (5:00 PM PT).
Injury Report
Both teams are hampered by injuries, with Denver missing key forwards and Chicago dealing with backcourt uncertainties. This could force reliance on stars like Jokic for Denver and Buzelis for Chicago, potentially leading to a slower-paced game.
Denver Nuggets Injuries:
| Player | Status | Injury Details |
| Tamar Bates | Out | Foot surgery; out for the season. |
| Peyton Watson | Out | Hamstring strain. |
| Cameron Johnson | Out | Knee injury. |
| Aaron Gordon | Out | Hamstring strain; re-evaluated in 4-6 weeks. |
| Christian Braun | Probable | Not specified; likely available. |
Chicago Bulls Injuries:
| Player | Status | Injury Details |
| Zach Collins | Out | Toe injury. |
| Tre Jones | Day-to-Day | Hamstring. |
| Josh Giddey | Day-to-Day | Hamstring/injury management. |
| Noa Essengue | Out | Shoulder; out for the season. |
| Collin Sexton | Day-to-Day | Not specified. |
Player Matchups to Watch
With injuries depleting both frontcourts, this game spotlights Jokic’s dominance against Chicago’s thinned interior. Denver’s backcourt efficiency meets the Bulls’ perimeter scoring, but absences could create exploitable mismatches for Jokic and Murray.
- Nikola Jokic (DEN) vs. Matas Buzelis (CHI): Jokic (29.1 PPG, 12.1 RPG, 10.5 APG) dominates with elite efficiency (59.4% FG) against Buzelis (15.0 PPG, 5.3 RPG), testing Chicago’s rim protection without Collins.
- Jamal Murray (DEN) vs. Anfernee Simons (CHI): Murray (25.9 PPG, 7.5 APG, 48.6% FG) brings scoring and playmaking vs. Simons (14.3 PPG), a guard battle where Denver’s efficiency could shine.
- Tim Hardaway Jr. (DEN) vs. Jaden Ivey (CHI): Hardaway (13.9 PPG, 40.6% 3PT) provides spacing vs. Ivey’s athleticism; a wing matchup exploiting Chicago’s 36.8% 3PT defense.
- Other Notes: Peyton Watson’s absence hurts Denver’s defense; Chicago’s potential Giddey return boosts assists (8.8 APG). Watch Denver’s 39.4% 3PT vs. Bulls’ rebounding (higher RPG).
Recent Team Forms
Nuggets are middling lately amid injuries; Bulls show inconsistency with poor recent scoring.
Denver Nuggets (4-6 in last 10 games, averaging 109.8 PPG, allowing 112.2 PPG):
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score |
| Feb 4 | @ NYK | L | 127-134 (2OT) |
| Feb 3 | @ DET | L | 121-124 |
| Feb 1 | vs OKC | L | 111-121 |
| Jan 30 | @ LAL | W | 115-107 |
| Jan 28 | vs LAC | W | 120-114 |
| Jan 26 | vs SAC | W | 130-124 |
| Jan 24 | @ POR | L | 107-109 |
| Jan 22 | vs NOP | W | 118-112 |
| Jan 20 | vs LAL | L | 107-115 |
| Jan 18 | @ SAC | L | 124-130 |
Chicago Bulls (4-6 in last 10 games, averaging 115.1 PPG, allowing 120.0 PPG):
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score |
| Feb 5 | @ TOR | L | 107-123 |
| Feb 3 | @ MIL | L | 115-131 |
| Feb 1 | @ MIA | L | 91-134 |
| Jan 31 | @ MIA | W | 125-118 |
| Jan 29 | vs MIA | L | 113-116 |
| Jan 28 | @ IND | L | 113-120 |
| Jan 26 | vs LAC | W | 138-110 |
| Jan 24 | vs BKN | W | 124-102 |
| Jan 22 | vs MIN | W | 120-115 |
| Jan 20 | @ BOS | L | 114-111 |
Series History
Bulls lead all-time 46-58, but have won the last three meetings, including a 130-127 road victory in November 2025. Denver has struggled in recent head-to-heads, going 0-3 since 2024.
| Date | Location | Result | Score |
| Nov 17, 2025 | @ DEN | W (CHI) | 130-127 |
| Mar 24, 2025 | @ DEN | W (CHI) | 129-119 |
| Jan 27, 2025 | vs DEN | W (CHI) | 129-121 |
| Dec 12, 2023 | vs DEN | L (CHI) | 106-114 |
| Nov 4, 2023 | @ DEN | L (CHI) | 101-123 |
Bulls have won 3 of the last 5.
Betting Trends
Nuggets are favorites despite the skid; trends favor Denver ATS on the road, with overs hitting in recent games for both. Nuggets 30-22 ATS overall (19-9 road); Bulls 25-27 ATS (15-11 home).
- ATS Trends: Nuggets 7-1 ATS vs. Central; Bulls 6-4 ATS last 10, but 1-4 ATS last 5. Nuggets 18-10 ATS on road.
- O/U Trends: Over in 3 of Nuggets’ last 5; over in 3 of Bulls’ last 5. Combined games hit over 80% recently.
Game Odds
Denver Nuggets – 5.5
Chicago Bulls 232.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, February 6, 2026
