The Utah Jazz head to the Windy City to face the Chicago Bulls in a midseason matchup between two teams struggling to stay competitive in their respective conferences. The Jazz sit near the bottom of the Western Conference standings, while the Bulls are clinging to a potential play-in spot in the East. This game marks the second meeting between these teams this season, with Utah pulling off a thrilling 150-147 double-overtime victory at home on November 16, 2025. Both squads are coming off inconsistent stretches, but the Bulls enter as slight favorites in what could be a high-scoring affair given their defensive vulnerabilities.
Venue Location
United Center
1901 West Madison Street
Chicago, Illinois 60612 The iconic arena, home to the Bulls since 1994, has a capacity of over 20,000 and is known for its electric atmosphere during NBA games. Expect a pro-Bulls crowd, though ticket prices remain affordable starting around $25-28 for this midweek contest.
Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET (7:00 p.m. local CT) TV: CHSN (Bulls local), Jazz+ and KJZZ (Jazz local)
Streaming: NBA League Pass (blackout restrictions may apply)
Injury Report
Both teams are dealing with significant absences that could impact rotations and game flow. Note that final statuses are often confirmed closer to tip-off, so monitor updates.
Utah Jazz Injuries:
Walker Kessler (C): Out for the season (left shoulder surgery – torn labrum). A major blow to Utah’s interior defense and rebounding.
Georges Niang (F): Out (left foot – fourth metatarsal stress reaction). Expected back around January 19.
Kevin Love (F): Out (rest). The veteran is being managed carefully on back-to-backs or heavy schedules.
Elijah Harkless (G): Game-time decision (hamstring). Listed as out for G League reasons in some reports but could play limited minutes if cleared.
John Tonje (G): Out (G League – two-way).
Oscar Tshiebwe (F): Out (G League – two-way).
The Jazz are thin in the frontcourt without Kessler and Niang, relying on Jusuf Nurkic (recently returned from a toe injury) and Lauri Markkanen to handle the load. Keyonte George and Collin Sexton will need to step up in the backcourt.
Chicago Bulls Injuries:
Josh Giddey (G): Out (left hamstring strain). A key playmaker sidelined for at least a few more weeks, hurting Chicago’s ball movement.
Coby White (G): Out (right calf injury management/rest). The Bulls are cautious with their scoring guard on the first night of potential back-to-backs.
Zach Collins (F/C): Out (right 1st toe sprain). Expected back around February 7; his absence weakens the bench frontcourt.
Julian Phillips (F): Out (left wrist sprain). Day-to-day but ruled out for this game.
Noa Essengue (F): Out for the season (left shoulder surgery).
Yuki Kawamura (G): Game-time decision (lower leg). Could provide depth if available.
The Bulls will lean on Nikola Vucevic in the paint and guards like Ayo Dosunmu for scoring. Patrick Williams and Jalen Smith may see expanded roles off the bench.
Key Player Matchups to Watch
This game features intriguing battles, especially in the frontcourt where both teams have size but lack elite defense.
Lauri Markkanen (Jazz) vs. Nikola Vucevic (Bulls): Markkanen, averaging around 20-25 points per game this season, is a versatile scorer who can stretch the floor. Vucevic, a double-double machine (e.g., 28 points and 14 rebounds in the opener), will counter with post play and rebounding. Expect a high-volume shooting duel; Markkanen torched Chicago for key buckets in their last meeting.
Keyonte George (Jazz) vs. Ayo Dosunmu (Bulls): With Giddey and White out, Dosunmu steps into a larger role as Chicago’s lead guard. George, Utah’s emerging point guard (32 points in a recent win over Cleveland), brings explosiveness and three-point shooting. This matchup could dictate pace – George’s growth has been a bright spot for the Jazz.
Collin Sexton (Jazz) vs. Tre Jones (Bulls): Sexton provides scoring punch off the bench for Utah, while Jones (career-high 34 points recently) adds defensive intensity for Chicago. Watch for transition opportunities here, as both are quick in the open court.
Bench Battle: Jusuf Nurkic (Jazz) vs. Jalen Smith (Bulls): Nurkic’s rebounding (17 in his return game) could exploit Chicago’s thin frontcourt. Smith offers athleticism but has been inconsistent.
Overall, the Jazz’s offense (119.1 PPG, 7th in NBA) faces a Bulls defense allowing 126.9 PPG (30th). Chicago’s scoring (around 119 PPG) could keep it close if they exploit Utah’s poor road defense.
Recent Team Forms
Both teams have been mediocre lately, with defensive lapses leading to losses. Here’s a look at their last 10 games:
Utah Jazz (4-6 in last 10, averaging 116.8 PPG scored, 128.0 PPG allowed):
Jan 13: W 123-112 @ Cavaliers (strong shooting from deep; George 32 points).
Jan 11: L 95-150 vs. Hornets (defensive meltdown; worst loss of season).
Jan 9: W 116-114 vs. Mavericks (clutch win; Markkanen key late).
Jan 8: L 125-129 @ Thunder (OT heartbreaker; high-scoring affair).
Jan 6: L 117-137 @ Trail Blazers (poor perimeter defense).
Jan 4: L 114-123 @ Warriors (struggled with turnovers).
Jan 2: L 101-118 @ Clippers (offense stalled in second half).
Dec 30: L 119-129 vs. Celtics (competitive but outrebounded).
Dec 27: W 127-114 @ Spurs (efficient shooting; 67.2% eFG%).
Dec 26: W 131-129 vs. Pistons (high-scoring thriller).
The Jazz have lost five of their last seven road games but showed fight in recent wins. They’re 2-8 in their last 10 overall, with tanking rumors swirling amid a focus on the draft.
Chicago Bulls (5-5 in last 10, averaging 111.2 PPG scored, 114.7 PPG allowed):
Jan 13: L 113-119 @ Rockets (close but defensive issues late).
Jan 10: W 125-107 vs. Mavericks (dominant offense; 61.1% eFG%).
Jan 7: L 93-108 @ Pistons (offense sputtered; low scoring).
Jan 5: L 101-115 @ Celtics (struggled with rebounding).
Jan 3: L 99-112 vs. Hornets (poor three-point shooting at 26.8%).
Jan 2: W 121-114 vs. Magic (balanced scoring; Vucevic double-double).
Dec 30: W 134-118 vs. Pelicans (hot shooting night).
Dec 28: L 101-136 vs. Timberwolves (defensive collapse).
Dec 26: L 103-112 vs. Bucks (turnovers costly).
Dec 23: W 109-102 vs. 76ers (gritty win).
The Bulls are 5-5 in their last 10 home games and have alternated wins and losses recently. They postponed a game vs. Heat due to weather, but their offense has been inconsistent without key guards.
Series History
The all-time regular-season series is tightly contested, with the Bulls holding a slight edge at 59-55 over 114 games. Chicago has won 8 of 12 playoff meetings (famously sweeping the 1998 Finals 4-2 behind Michael Jordan).Recent head-to-head (last 10 games):
Nov 16, 2025: Jazz 150-147 (2OT) Bulls (Utah covers +5; over 245.5).
Mar 17, 2025: Bulls 111-97 Jazz (Chicago covers -4.5; under 242).
Nov 4, 2024: Jazz 135-126 Bulls (Utah covers +7.5; over 229).
Mar 6, 2024: Jazz 119-117 Bulls (Utah covers +4; over 225).
Nov 6, 2023: Bulls 130-113 Jazz (Chicago covers -4; over 223.5).
And earlier: Mixed results, with home teams winning 6 of the last 10.
Utah has won 3 of the last 5, including high-scoring affairs. The series often goes over the total (6-4 in last 10).
Betting Trends
Spread: Jazz are 4-6 ATS in last 10; Bulls 2-3 ATS in last 5 home games.
Moneyline: Chicago is 12-8 straight-up at home but 8-10 ATS on the road for opponents.
Over/Under: The over has hit in 6 of Utah’s last 10 (high-scoring losses) and 4 of Chicago’s last 10. Series trend: Over in 8 of last 10 meetings.
Game Odds
Utah Jazz 243.5
Chicago Bulls – 2.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, January 13, 2026
