Finally, our 17-20 Chicago Bulls are actually favored to win a game without Josh Giddey! On Saturday (assuming the ice beneath the hardwood in the United Center cooperates), Chicago is set to host a struggling 14-24 Dallas Mavericks squad missing its two best players, aging All-Stars Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis, both of whom are sidelined indefinitely.
Per Shams Charania and Tim MacMahon of ESPN, Davis has torn ligaments in his left hand, and is consulting with various specialists about whether or not surgery will be necessary. From Dallas’ perspective, given how tied-up the team’s own future draft picks are beyond this season, it would behoove the Mavericks to… gently suggest Davis sit out as long as possible.
Davis and Rookie of the Year favorite Cooper Flagg had meshed well together on both sides of the court. Their chemistry has probably yielded a few unnecessary wins for a team that needs to embrace the tank.
The Bulls have enjoyed a little break since their last contest, a 108-93 blowout against the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, after their Miami Heat home clash Thursday was postponed.
Unfortunately for Chicago fans, they’re facing a bit of a scheduling conflict.
Ayo Dosunmu, a Chicago native and devout Bears fan, showed up for pregame activities wearing the cheese grater headpiece.
Go Bears ?⬇️ @AyoDos_11 pic.twitter.com/PQFxWVYMx9
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 10, 2026That’s because the Chicago Bears-Green Bay Packers playoff game starts at the same exact time as Chicago’s tip-off Saturday. The Blackhawks are in Nashville and also get started at 7! Find a few televisions and settle in, Chicago!
Given how sub-mediocre this Bulls team is, and the fact that the Bears’ first playoff game in five years is against everyone’s least favorite NFL team, it’s likely this Dallas tilt will be one of the least-watched Bulls games of the year.
Dosunmu, who’s on a below-market $7.5 million contract this year, could be a major trade chip if Chicago makes him available. In 31 games mostly off the Bulls’ bench, the 25-year-old has been averaging 14.3 points on .508/.441/.861 shooting splits, 3.4 dimes and 2.7 boards, while supplying serviceable defense.
© Patrick Gorski-Imagn ImagesGame Info
The Chicago Bulls (17-20) host the Dallas Mavericks (14-24) – 7 p.m. CT on CHSN+ (TV) and 670 The Score (Radio).
Chicago Bulls
Tre Jones Coby White Isaac Okoro Matas Buzelis Nikola VucevicDallas Mavericks
Cooper Flagg Max Christie Klay Thompson Naji Marshall Daniel Gafford Jerome Miron-Imagn ImagesGame Lines
The Bulls are 2.5-point favorites to win at home, according to DraftKings Sportsbook.
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Different Isaiah, Same Nightmare! Bulls 93, Pistons 108 – January 7, 2026What To Watch For
Matas Buzelis has been on a roll. The 6-foot-8 pro has been perhaps the biggest on-ball beneficiary of the Bulls’ backcourt absences. He’s been scoring in double digits in each of the six games the Bulls have finished without Giddey (including the Dec. 29 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, which Giddey and White exited mid-contest). During this stretch, the 21-year-old has been averaging 19.3 points on .466/.364/.667 shooting splits, 5.7 boards, 2.8 dimes, 1.3 blocks and 0.5 swipes per. His downhill athleticism and length are already incredibly impressive, and although we’re not quite sure which forward position he’ll ultimately play after he bulks up a bit, it certainly seems like he has the ceiling to be a borderline star. Reserve power forward/center Jalen Smith was shifted from “questionable” to “probable” in the league’s latest injury report, and seems likely to return for the first time since his skull collided with LaMelo Ball’s last Saturday. The 25-year-old Maryland product is the only traditionally-sized Bulls big man who’s under contract — for a fairly reasonable $9.4 million — next season, and I’ve liked his activity and switchability in the frontcourt. He’s not much of a rim protector or a great man-to-man defender, but he’s quick enough to keep up with anyone and at least has active hands. He can also spread the floor, a must for a modern big. Billy Donovan started him at the four spot with both Giddey and Coby White sidelined last week. White is now back, although it seems likely that Donovan will continue to start Tre Jones for Giddey rather than reinsert Smith into his starting lineup. It will be fascinating to see how Donovan opts to guard the explosive, oversized Flagg, whom Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd has been starting as something of a point forward. Isaac Okoro is Chicago’s best perimeter defender, but Jalen Smith and maybe even Patrick Williams could get some run.Injury Report
Chicago Bulls
Noa Essengue OUT (shoulder) Josh Giddey OUT (left hamstring) Zach Collins OUT (right first toe) Kevin Huerter QUESTIONABLE (back)Dallas Mavericks
Anthony Davis OUT (hand) Kyrie Irving OUT (knee) Dante Exum OUT (knee) Dereck Lively II (foot) P.J. Washington OUT (ankle) Brandon Williams OUT (illness)Hence then, the article about pre gamin bulls vs mavericks 7 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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