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Hornets vs. Bulls prediction: Why Chicago is favored to win Saturday's NBA matchup [1/3/2026]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Ryan Leaver, Senior Sports and Betting Editor
Get Charlotte Hornets vs Chicago Bulls predictions for NBA Saturday.
The Chicago Bulls will square off with the Charlotte Hornets in NBA action at United Center on Saturday, starting at 8:00 PM ET.
Based on the latest simulations and today’s injury updates, Dimers' proven NBA model projects the Bulls as the most likely winner of the Hornets vs. Bulls game.
This prediction follows the latest NBA Injury Report, which suggests the Bulls lineup will feature stars like Nikola Vucevic, Matas Buzelis and Jalen Smith, while the Hornets will be led by Brandon Miller, LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges.
This article offers an expanded analysis of Saturday's matchup, including an expanded look at the predicted score, best bets and player prop picks.
Hornets vs. Bulls prediction: Who will win and cover?
Using trusted machine learning and data, we have simulated the outcome of Saturday's NBA game between the Hornets and Bulls 10,000 times as part of our NBA predictions coverage.
Our leading predictive model currently gives the Bulls a 58% chance of defeating the Hornets. Our predicted final score has the Bulls winning 120-118.
According to our model, the Bulls (-2.5) have a 54% chance of covering the spread, while the over/under total of 240.5 points has a 52% chance of staying under.
Hornets vs. Bulls odds
We have researched the best NBA odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Hornets | Bulls |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | +2.5 (-115) | -2.5 (-105) |
| Moneyline | +114 | -126 |
| Total | o240.5 (-110) | u240.5 (-106) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Hornets vs. Bulls picks and best bet
After matching our predictions against the best available odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:
| Bet Type | Pick | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Bulls -2.5 | -105 |
| Moneyline | Bulls | -126 |
| Total | Under 240.5 | -106 |
According to our best NBA bets for Saturday, the top play to make on this game is Bulls -2.5 at the spread.
Hornets vs. Bulls player props
Betting on Hornets vs. Bulls NBA prop bets? We have crunched the numbers to project how each team's leading players will perform at United Center.
Brandon Miller is expected to lead the Hornets with 20 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists, while Nikola Vucevic is projected to have 18 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists for the Bulls.
Check out our NBA player projections for a full range of projected box scores, including points, assists, rebounds and today's NBA first basket picks.
Hornets prediction
Our model's projected player stats for the Hornets are:
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | 3PM | DFS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Miller | 20 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 39 |
| LaMelo Ball | 20 | 5 | 8 | 3 | 44 |
| Miles Bridges | 19 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 39 |
| Kon Knueppel | 19 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 36 |
| Collin Sexton | 13 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 25 |
Bulls prediction
Projected points, rebounds, assists and three-pointers made for the Bulls:
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | 3PM | DFS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikola Vucevic | 18 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 41 |
| Matas Buzelis | 16 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 32 |
| Jalen Smith | 14 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 34 |
| Tre Jones | 14 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 32 |
| Ayo Dosunmu | 13 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 26 |
Hornets vs. Bulls game-day updates and essential details
Saturday's matchup between the Bulls and Hornets at United Center is scheduled to commence at 8:00 PM ET.
- Who: Charlotte Hornets vs. Chicago Bulls
- Date: Saturday, January 3, 2026
- Time: 8:00 PM ET/5:00PM PT
- Venue: United Center
Conclusion
We predict the Bulls, with a 58% win probability, will likely beat the Hornets on Saturday, with LaMelo Ball projected for a game-high 44 fantasy points.
AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Hornets vs. Bulls insights, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are sourced from up-to-date data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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Ryan Leaver uses advanced statistical models and simulations to predict outcomes and provide predictions for the NBA, NFL, college football, college basketball, and soccer. He offers detailed game previews, best bets, props, and futures articles.
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