Game Details
Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET.
Venue: United Center, 1901 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60612. This iconic arena, opened in 1994, has a seating capacity of 20,917 for basketball and is renowned for its electric atmosphere, especially during Bulls home games. It’s located in Chicago’s Near West Side, featuring modern amenities like high-definition scoreboards and a statue of Michael Jordan outside, which could energize the home crowd in this Eastern Conference matchup.
Recent Team Forms
The Heat are coming off a blowout loss but have won 3 of their last 5, showing resilience. The Bulls are in a slump, on a three-game losing streak and 2-8 in their last 10. Here’s a breakdown of their last five games (most recent first):
Miami Heat (3-2 in last 5; streak: L1):
Loss 94-122 at Minnesota (Jan 6; dominated in the paint, shot just 40% FG).
Win 125-106 vs. New Orleans (Jan 3; balanced scoring with five in double figures).
Win 112-105 at Indiana (Dec 31; strong fourth quarter comeback).
Loss 108-115 vs. Atlanta (Dec 29; close but defensive lapses late).
Win 118-110 vs. Brooklyn (Dec 27; efficient shooting at 50% FG). Miami averages 112.4 PPG over this stretch while allowing 111.6, with a +0.8 net rating. Their road form is middling (3-2 in last 5 away), relying on veterans like Jimmy Butler (22.5 PPG recently).
Chicago Bulls (1-4 in last 5; streak: L3):
Loss 93-108 vs. Detroit (Jan 7; collapsed in fourth quarter, poor 3PT shooting at 28%).
Loss 101-115 at Boston (Jan 5; outrebounded badly).
Loss 99-112 vs. Charlotte (Jan 3; defensive struggles allowed easy buckets).
Win 124-115 at Toronto (Dec 31; high-scoring road victory).
Loss 104-118 vs. New York (Dec 29; blown out at home). Chicago averages 104.2 PPG in losses but 124 in their lone win, allowing 113.6 overall. Home form is inconsistent (2-3 in last 5 at United Center), with turnovers (15.2 per game) a key issue.
Series History
This storied rivalry dates back to 1988, with the Bulls holding a slight all-time edge. In 133 regular-season games, Chicago leads 68-65. The teams have met six times in playoffs, with Bulls winning four series (including 1990s dominance) and Heat two.
Previous Meeting (2025-26 Season): November 21, 2025 – Heat 143, Bulls 107 (at Kaseya Center, Miami). Miami dominated with 55% FG shooting; Jimmy Butler led with 28 points.
Other Recent Games: April 16, 2025 – Heat 109-90; November 21, 2024 – Heat 143-107 (similar blowout). In the last 20 meetings, Bulls are 9-11. Games often feature high totals (average 215.5 points in last 10), with the over hitting in 6 of 10. Underdogs are 7-3 ATS in recent H2H.
Miami looks to extend their recent dominance (4-1 in last 5), while Chicago aims to leverage home court for an upset.
Injury Report
Injuries loom large, particularly for the Bulls’ depleted roster. Updates as of January 8, 2026 (afternoon report; subject to change at tip-off):
Miami Heat:
Bam Adebayo (C): Available – Lower Back Soreness (expected to play through it; key for interior defense).
Jaime Jaquez Jr. (SG/SF): Questionable – Ankle Sprain (missed recent games; if out, impacts wing depth). No other major absences reported, but the Heat are monitoring minor ailments post-road trip.
Chicago Bulls:
Coby White (PG): Game-Time Decision – Calf Strain (missed last game; if out, hurts scoring punch).
Josh Giddey (PG): Out – Hamstring (expected back soon; playmaking void).
Jalen Smith (PF): Game-Time Decision – Concussion Protocol (key rebounder sidelined recently).
Zach Collins (C): Out – Right Toe Injury (longer-term; weakens frontcourt).
Additional: Matas Buzelis (F) Available (illness cleared). The Bulls’ backcourt is thin, forcing reliance on Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic.
Key Player Matchups
With injuries factoring in, these battles could decide the game in a projected mid-range scoring affair:
Jimmy Butler (MIA, SF) vs. Zach LaVine (CHI, SG): Butler (24.5 PPG, 6.2 APG recently) excels in mid-range; LaVine (22.8 PPG) must match his intensity but has struggled defensively. Advantage: Butler’s two-way play.
Bam Adebayo (MIA, C) vs. Nikola Vucevic (CHI, C): Adebayo (18.2 PPG, 10.5 RPG) dominates the paint; Vucevic (20.1 PPG, 10.8 RPG) is a stretch big but vulnerable inside. If Adebayo exploits mismatches, Miami controls the boards.
Tyler Herro (MIA, SG) vs. Ayo Dosunmu (CHI, PG, if White out): Herro (21.3 PPG) thrives off-ball; Dosunmu steps up but lacks Herro’s shooting range (38% 3PT).
Expect Miami’s veteran core to target Chicago’s injury-hit guards.
Betting Trends
Miami Heat: 19-18 ATS overall (51.4%); 8-11 ATS on the road. They’ve gone under in 6 of last 10 (defensive focus), and as favorites, 12-5 SU but 9-8 ATS. In road favorites roles, 4-2 ATS.
Chicago Bulls: 16-21 ATS (43.2%); 9-10 ATS at home. Over has hit in 7 of last 10 (high-scoring losses), but as underdogs, 5-12 SU and 7-10 ATS. During three-game skid, averaged 99.3 PPG scored vs. 111.7 allowed.
Head-to-Head Trends: Over in 6 of last 10 (avg. 215.5 points); Heat 4-1 SU in last 5, covering 3-2 ATS. Underdogs 7-3 ATS overall.
League-Wide: NBA overs hit 52% in Eastern matchups; road favorites like Miami are 55% ATS this season.
Game Odds
Miami Heat – 7.5
Chicago Bulls 237.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, January 7, 2026
