Chicago Bulls vs. Brooklyn Nets Picks and Predictions, Friday, January 16th, 2026
Use Code WWWC The Chicago Bulls (19-21) and the Brooklyn Nets (11-27) reignite their Eastern Conference rivalry on Friday night in this Bulls vs. Nets prediction. These teams met back in early December, with the Nets winning by ten on the road. Chicago is coming off a 128-126 home win over Utah, missing the cover as 5.5-point favorites. Brooklyn just fell in New Orleans 116-113 as 1.5-point underdogs. Tipoff is set for 7:30 EST. Keep reading to see our Bulls vs Nets prediction, and check out all of our winning NBA Picks.
Chicago Looks for Revenge
The Chicago Bulls are battling for another postseason berth this year, but they won't get there by losing multiple games against teams outside of the playoff window. Chicago lost their first game against Brooklyn, falling by ten on their own home floor. The Bulls are currently 10th in the Eastern Conference standings, but there is too much season to go to make any assumptions yet. They are coming off a tight win over Utah, where they were led by Nicola Vucevic with 35 points in the victory.
The offense centered around Vucevic in their last game, as he took 12 more shots than anyone else wearing a Bulls' uniform. He has started every game this season while averaging 16.9 PPG and a team high 9.2 RPG while acting as a veteran presence for this young roster. Chicago's most productive player this season will miss this game, as Josh Giddey is still out with an injury. This will leave Coby White as their top scorer, the outside shooting point guard is getting 17.9 PPG while leading the team with 2.1 made threes per night.
Tre Jones has been starting in the backcourt recently where he adds another 12.4 PPG, and Ayo Dosumnu is an athlete off the bench scoring 14.3 per game. The Bulls rank 17th in offensive efficiency and 25th in defensive efficiency according to dunksandthrees.com. Chicago has been playing fast, ranking 6th in the league in possessions per game.
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Nets Lose Five Straight
The Brooklyn Nets are still working on finding their identity, they traded away for Michael Porter Jr. in the offseason, but that is not the type of move that will carry the team to the top of the Eastern Conference standings. Brooklyn is currently 13th in the East, but already seven games out of the last playoff spot as they are scratching and clawing for wins. The Nets have lost their last five coming into this home game against Chicago, with their last three losses all coming on the road against Western Conference teams.
Porter's numbers have increased this season, as he is no longer in Jokic's shadow in Denver, and has more freedom to operate the offense. He is averaging a career high 25.7 PPG to go with 7.5 RPG, while making 3.8 threes per contest. Cam Thomas has been in and out of the lineup with injuries this season, but is slated to go here. Thomas is scoring 18.8 PPG in his 16 games this year, with half of those contests coming off the bench. Nic Claxton is their top interior player, he is getting 13.1 PPG and 7.5 RPG in the middle.
Noah Clowney has been growing into a solid NBA post player, the 21-year old is now getting 13.0 PPG, with rookie Egor Demin contributing another 10.6 PPG. The Nets rank 19th in offensive efficiency and 26th in defensive efficiency. They play much slower than Chicago, ranking 28th in pace of play.
Injury Report for Bulls vs. Nets:
Bulls:
- Out: Josh Giddey, Zach Collins
- Questionable: Kevin Huerter
Nets:
- Out: Ziaire Williams, Haywood Highsmith
Bulls vs. Nets Picks and Predictions
Spread pick for Bulls vs. Nets
- Nets -1.5 (5 units)
The Brooklyn Nets have lost five straight games, and are 13th in the East, but yet are favored in this game against the Bulls. The linemakers in Vegas know what they are doing, they are begging the public to take Chicago, while knowing Brooklyn is the play. The Nets with a healthy Porter and Thomas are a better team than the Bulls without Giddey. Brooklyn has their top two scorers healthy, while the top playmaker for Chicago will watch from the sidelines. Brooklyn already beat the Bulls by ten on the road, they will take care of business here at home again. Claxton and Clowney will be able to compete with Vucevic, locking down Chicago's only remaining threat, take Brooklyn.
Take the Nets to cover.
Over/Under Pick for Bulls vs. Nets
- Under 225.5 (4 units)
Brooklyn plays slow, and will not change that strategy when they feel like they have the advantage. The Nets' top two scorers are healthy in Porter and Thomas, but neither is known to push the tempo and score in a transition game at high intervals. Porter is an outside shooter who excels in spot up situations, and Thomas is more of an isolation player who likes to break down his man off the dribble. They will continue to play at that style, all while Chicago is without their top catalyst as Giddey is on the sideline. Neither team will have motivation to play fast, and this will result in a slow paced, low scoring game,
Take the under.
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