Los Angeles Lakers @ Chicago Bulls 01/26/2026
It’s an epic NBA game-day, and this one feels like it matters a little more. The Los Angeles Lakers roll into the United Center on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, for a prime-time test with the Chicago Bulls at 8:00 p.m. local. The Lakers are jockeying for position in a crowded Western Conference playoff picture, while the Bulls are grinding for a stronger foothold in the East. Chicago’s been a tough home outfit, and the Lakers’ recent form on the road has steadied, which makes the betting conversation here genuinely interesting. With the last five head-to-heads leaning slightly toward the Bulls and the most recent meeting decided by a single possession, the market is going to want answers on whether L.A.’s star power travels and whether Chicago’s resilience at the United Center holds up again.
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Betting prediction for match Los Angeles Lakers @ Chicago Bulls
Both teams bring momentum from their latest outings—Chicago coming off a home win over Boston and L.A. posting a road win in Dallas. Zooming out to their profiles, the Lakers have been the steadier two-way group overall, but the Bulls have punched above their weight at home and are firmly in the mix for an Eastern Conference play-in slot. Expect a competitive, late-game situation with swings in pace—Chicago’s perimeter shot-making against L.A.’s isolation-heavy half-court execution. Markets will gravitate toward tight moneyline pricing, a short spread, and a totals number hovering around the low 230s, given both teams’ per-game scoring and pace tendencies.
Our model makes the Lakers slight favorites on a neutral floor; with Chicago’s home-court bump, it narrows but still leans Los Angeles. Probabilities: Lakers roughly 57% to win, Bulls about 43%. The total angle is the headliner, backed by both teams’ per-game outputs and recent shot quality.
Our betting predictions: Los Angeles Lakers @ Chicago Bulls
Best Bet: Total – Over 229.5 Points
1) Total: Over 229.5 points (approx. 56% edge, price around -115 at BetMGM). Why: Based on season-to-date averages, the Lakers are putting up about 116.0 points per game while allowing roughly 116.2. Chicago is averaging about 117.9 points per game and conceding around 119.7. Even accounting for late-game slowdown and second-chance variance, this matchup projects into the low 230s by median, with upside if either team gets to the line consistently or hits early threes. Betting tip: Over 229.5.
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Pick 2: Moneyline – Los Angeles Lakers
2) Moneyline: Lakers (approx. 57% win probability, fair price at FanDuel). Why: Los Angeles has been the slightly more reliable road team in late-game situations, and their star creators can manufacture offense when the half-court tightens. Even with Chicago’s home form, the Lakers’ late-clock shot diet and secondary playmaking give them a marginal edge. Betting tip: Lakers moneyline.
Pick 3: Spread – Lakers -2.5
3) Spread: Lakers -2.5 (approx. 54% to cover, around -110 at FanDuel Sportsbook). Why: If L.A. wins, the most likely corridor is a one-to-two-possession margin. With their edge on late possessions and the Bulls’ potential absences up front, a short road spread is playable. Betting tip: Lakers -2.5.
Team Statistics: Current Form, Per-Game Profiles, and Conference Context
Chicago Bulls (Eastern Conference)
- Current form: Chicago enters with a 4-1 run over its last five, including a gritty home result against Boston in their latest outing. The Bulls hold a 23-22 record overall, trending upward at home with a strong 15-9 mark at the United Center.
- Standings (East): The Bulls are fighting in the play-in neighborhood, hovering at 9th in the Eastern Conference, with momentum swinging their way over the past two weeks.
- Per-game snapshot: The Bulls average about 117.9 points per game and allow roughly 119.7, a slight negative margin that has tightened recently as their perimeter defense and late-game execution have improved.
- Style notes: Under Billy Donovan, Chicago leans on guard play and wing spacing to open driving lanes, then supplements with interior touches when the matchup allows. When the threes fall early, they can push totals higher and make you chase.
Los Angeles Lakers (Western Conference)
- Current form: L.A. is 3-2 over its last five, fresh off a road win in Dallas. Overall, they’re 27-17, a tempo-stable group that’s found more balance as the calendar turned. On the road, they’ve been respectable and composed in clutch time.
- Standings (West): The Lakers are in the upper-middle tier of the West—around 5th—squarely in the playoff picture and tracking for seeding gains with a strong January stretch.
- Per-game snapshot: The Lakers post about 116.0 points per game and concede approximately 116.2, almost net-neutral, but their late-game shot creation often tilts outcomes by a possession or two.
- Style notes: With JJ Redick steering the ship, the Lakers’ half-court offense leans on star isolation, two-man actions, and pace pockets in secondary transition. When the role players hit timely threes, they feel a tier higher.
Keyplayer Statistics/Momentum/External Factors
Billy Donovan has the Bulls playing confident basketball at home, but injuries matter: Ayo Dosunmu is out long term, Lonzo Ball is questionable, and Nikola Vucevic’s back status bears monitoring. For L.A., JJ Redick indicated Austin Reaves is trending toward a return “sooner than later,” while DeAndre Ayton’s status remains in flux. Josh Giddey’s all-around production (near 19 points, nine boards, nine dimes per game) gives Chicago a steady creator, and Vucevic—if active—anchors the glass and pick-and-pop spacing. For the Lakers, Luka Doncic’s nightly line (low-30s in points per game with high-level playmaking) anchors the offense, and Reaves’ secondary creation helps stabilize late possessions. The United Center has been good to Chicago against the spread, and the Bulls’ home rhythm is a real factor. Still, L.A.’s end-game offense and star shot-making slightly tip the scales toward the visitors.
Last direct match: Chicago Bulls vs Los Angeles Lakers
The last meeting was a nail-biter, decided by a single possession on a late heave—Chicago edged it at home by two.
Performance last 5 Matches
- Chicago Bulls: 4-1
- Los Angeles Lakers: 3-2
TrustnBet Final Thoughts
Over 229.5 is our favorite angle because both teams’ per-game scoring profiles push the projection into the low 230s, and each side has multiple creators who generate high-quality looks and get to the free-throw line. Even with occasional half-court slowdowns, the shot volume and spacing point upward. Lakers’ moneyline follows as our second play. We rate L.A. a modest favorite, around 57%, given their late-game shot-making and the Bulls’ lingering health questions. In a tight contest, trust the team that can manufacture end-of-clock offense consistently. Lakers -2.5 rounds out the card. If the Lakers get it done, the most common outcome sits in that two-to-six-point pocket. Their road composure and star-driven finishing nudge this toward a short-cover scenario.
In short, we’re backing the scoring environment first and the Lakers’ late-game edge second. Chicago’s home crowd and form make this no layup, but the data and matchups steer us to Over, Lakers ML, and Lakers -2.5.
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