PSA: The Chicago Bulls are 2-0 in the Matas Buzelis Era.
After ripping off a five-game win streak in December, the Chicago Bulls looked like a team on a mission. But the unfortunate double whammy of injuries to Josh Giddey and Coby White in the midst of a two-game losing streak started to feel like the first cracks in the foundation.
Still, don’t let me be the guy who counts out the Bulls. They’ve won their last two games despite every reason not to. They took down a Pelicans team that has had their number all season and a Magic team sitting above them in the standings.
Tonight, on the second night of a back-to-back, the Bulls face the Charlotte Hornets with a chance to climb above .500 for the first time since November.
In his two previous meetings with the Hornets this season, Buzelis hasn’t exactly stolen the spotlight, averaging just nine points, two assists, and one rebound in one win and one loss.
But expect him to come in focused, and ready to get his lick back against Charlotte. Buzelis has been cooking in his new role and new opportunity. The move to small forward has opened up favorable matchups — the kind that turn into highlights and leave jaws on the floor.
"Oh that might be dunk of the year so far!" pic.twitter.com/DCDolG2OCX
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 3, 2026Game Info
The Chicago Bulls (17-17) host the Charlotte Hornets (11-23) – 7:00 p.m. CT on Chicago Sports Network (TV) and 670 The Score (Radio).
Chicago Bulls
Tre Jones Isaac Okoro Matas Buzelis Jalen Smith Nikola VucevicCharlotte Hornets
LaMelo Ball Kon Knueppel Brandon Miller Miles Bridges Moussa DiabatéGame Lines
The Bulls are slight 1.5-point favorites over the Hornets, with the total set at 238.5, according to DraftKings Sportsbook.
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He’s There When It Matas! Bulls 121, Magic 114 – January 2, 2026What to Watch For
A Giddey- and White-less Chicago Bulls squad has been running big. Jalen Smith and Tre Jones have stepped into the starting lineup, giving Chicago a double-big look from the jump. Smith’s addition has paid off immediately, posting double-doubles in both wins. And Tre Jones, despite an off night yesterday, has been steady when it’s time to close games. Chicago’s depth has let them slap a Band-Aid on the problem and still lean into what they do best.Tre Jones in the clutch! @Tre3Jones | @CHSN__ pic.twitter.com/LvCuxQyX33
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 3, 2026 When you take from somewhere, you’ve got to add back, too. When bench players like Tre and Jalen move up, their production has to be replenished, and it has been, thanks to Ayo Dosunmu, Patrick Williams, and Kevin Huerter. They’ve simply done more with their opportunities. Huerter dropped 20 off the bench, Williams now has back-to-back double-digit outings, and Ayo has been running the offense, creating looks, and scoring efficiently. Chicago’s bench outscored the Magic by 30 — 57–27.What a save by Ayo! @AyoDos_11 | @CHSN__ pic.twitter.com/O4LF2QKcTk
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 3, 2026 Over the last two games, Buzelis has been the light bearer for these wins. He’s averaged 20 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, a steal, and a block — and he’s done it with confidence. He’s basically been given the ultimate green light, taking almost as many shots in the past two games as he did in the previous four combined. The Hornets sit near the bottom of the league in defending the paint, while the Bulls thrive scoring there. Expect at least a couple of dunks from Matas, who looks like he’s taking the next step right in front of our eyes.Matas with a 21-9-7 in his first game of 2026.@BuzelisMatas | @MatchWornShirt pic.twitter.com/UvtS2zm1LD
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 3, 2026 In their two previous matchups with the Hornets, Chicago split the series 1–1. In Charlotte’s win, Brandon Miller led the way and the Hornets piled up points in bunches, with five players scoring 12 or more, and three of them crossing the 20-point mark. When the Bulls won, it wasn’t because they locked the Hornets down. Despite another scoring onslaught, Chicago simply matched them punch for punch and escaped with a three-point win. They couldn’t keep the Hornets under 120, they just had to outscore them to get the result they wanted. For Charlotte, injuries have been the story, Ball, Miller, Knueppel, Bridges, Sexton, and most recently their two big men, Diabaté and Kalkbrenner, have all missed time. Fortunately for them, most of that group is expected to play tonight, except their centers. Because of all the absences, the Hornets have been forced to experiment constantly with lineups, with inconsistency becoming their only real consistency. And against a Chicago team lacking true rim protection, that has the potential to turn into a recipe for disaster.back at it tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/T1PyAFhmA3
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) January 3, 2026Injury Report
Chicago Bulls
Josh Giddey OUT (left hamstring) Coby White OUT (right calf) Zach Collins OUT (toe) Lachlan Olbrich OUT (ankle) Trentyn Flowers OUT (knee) Noa Essengue OUT (left shoulder)Charlotte Hornets
Moussa Diabaté OUT (right wrist) Ryan Kalkbrenner OUT (elbow) Mason Plumlee OUT (right groin) Grant Williams OUT (knee) © Sam Sharpe-Imagn ImagesHence then, the article about pre gamin bulls vs hornets 7 00 pm ct projected lineups how to watch more was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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