Game Time: Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET
Location: United Center, Chicago
TV: CHSN, NBA League Pass
Spread: Bulls -3
Total: 226.5 points
Well Bulls fans, this is interesting. We’re 24-21, riding a three-game home winning streak, and we’re 3-point favorites against the LA Clippers at the United Center.
Sounds great, right? Home game, momentum on our side, slight favorites.
Except the Clippers are 26-18 and 8-0 on the road this season. Eight wins, zero losses away from LA. They’re one of the best road teams in the entire NBA, and they’re coming into our building with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George ready to ruin our night.
So yeah, we’re favored. But this feels like a trap.
Current Records: We’re Decent, They’re Road Warriors
Bulls: 24-21 (on a 3-game home win streak)
Clippers: 26-18 (8-0 on the road)
Let’s talk about that Clippers road record for a second. Eight and zero. They haven’t lost a single road game all season. Not one.
They’re allowing just 105 points per game on the road, which is top-five defense in the league. They’ve got Kawhi and PG, elite wing defenders who make life miserable for opposing scorers. And they thrive on the road because they don’t rely on home-court energy—they just execute.
We’re 24-21 and three games over .500, which is our best stretch of the season. We’ve won three straight at home, and we’re finally playing like a team that belongs in the playoff conversation.
But let’s not kid ourselves—the Clippers are better than us, and their 8-0 road record proves they don’t care about playing away from home.
Why We’re 3-Point Favorites (And Why It’s Sketchy)
1. We’re At Home
We’ve won three straight at the United Center. When we play at home, we shoot better, defend better, and generally look competent.
The betting market is giving us the edge because home court still matters in the NBA. But against a team that’s 8-0 on the road? Home court might not mean as much as Vegas thinks.
2. DeMar DeRozan Is Playing Great
DeMar is averaging 22+ points per game and has been our most consistent scorer all season. His mid-range game is still elite, and at home, he’s even better.
If DeMar can get 25-28 tonight, we’ve got a shot.
3. The Market Respects Our Home Streak
Three straight home wins creates perception. The betting public sees “Bulls at home on a win streak” and assumes we’ll keep it going.
But the Clippers are 7-1 against the spread on the road. They don’t just win—they cover. That’s a problem for us.
Why The Clippers Are Going To Make This Difficult
1. They’re 8-0 On The Road
I can’t stress this enough. EIGHT AND ZERO. They don’t lose on the road. They don’t get rattled by hostile crowds. They just come in, execute, and win.
We might be at home, but the Clippers aren’t going to be intimidated.
2. Their Defense Is Elite
The Clippers allow 105 points per game on the road. We average around 112 points per game at home.
If they hold us to 105-108, we’re going to have a very hard time winning. Our offense isn’t explosive enough to overcome elite defense.
3. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George
Two All-Star wings who can both score 25+ and defend at an elite level. When they’re both playing and locked in, the Clippers are a legit championship contender.
Kawhi is going to make DeMar work for everything. PG is going to limit Zach’s effectiveness. We’re going to have to grind for every bucket.
4. They’re 7-1 ATS On The Road
Not only do they win, they cover spreads. That means even when they’re underdogs, they either win outright or lose by less than expected.
We’re laying 3 points at home against a team that covers 87.5% of their road games. That’s terrifying.
Can The Bulls Actually Win This?
Let me make the case for why we’re not completely dead:
1. We’re Playing Good Basketball Right Now
Three straight home wins. Our offense is clicking. DeMar and Zach are both scoring efficiently. Vooch is controlling the paint.
When we’re executing at home, we can beat anybody.
2. The Clippers Turn The Ball Over
LA isn’t perfect. They commit turnovers, and when they do, we can capitalize in transition. If we can force 14-15 turnovers and convert them into easy buckets, we stay competitive.
3. Nikola Vučević Can Control The Paint
Vooch vs Ivica Zubac is a key matchup. If Vooch can pull Zubac away from the rim with his mid-range shooting, it opens driving lanes for Zach and DeMar.
If Vooch dominates inside and gets 20/12, we’re in great shape.
4. Home Crowd Energy
The United Center crowd can get loud, especially for a primetime game against a good team. If we jump out early and get the crowd into it, maybe—just maybe—the Clippers feel some pressure.
But they’re 8-0 on the road, so… probably not.
The Key Matchups That’ll Decide This Game
DeMar DeRozan vs Kawhi Leonard
Two-way superstar defending our best scorer. This is going to be a war.
DeMar’s mid-range game against Kawhi’s elite defense. If DeMar can get 25+, we’ve got a chance. If Kawhi holds him to 18 on bad efficiency, we’re cooked.
Edge: Kawhi’s defense is better than DeMar’s offense.
Zach LaVine vs Paul George
Battle of athletic wings who can both explode. Zach needs to outplay PG to give us a chance.
If Zach can attack the basket, draw fouls, and get 24-26 points, we stay in it. If PG locks him down and outscores him, we’re in trouble.
Edge: PG at this stage of his career.
Nikola Vučević vs Ivica Zubac
Vooch’s versatility vs Zubac’s rim protection. This battle in the paint matters.
If Vooch can stretch Zubac out and open driving lanes, our offense flows. If Zubac camps in the paint and protects the rim, we’re stuck taking contested jumpers.
Edge: Slight edge to Vooch’s skill set.
My Prediction: We Lose Close
I want to believe in the home win streak. I want to think we can beat an elite road team at the United Center.
But the Clippers are 8-0 on the road for a reason. They execute, they defend, and they don’t beat themselves.
Final Score: Clippers 108, Bulls 105
We lose by 3, which means the Clippers cover as 3-point underdogs. The game stays tight throughout, DeMar gets his 24, but Kawhi and PG combine for 50+ and steal another road win.
It’s a respectable loss, but a loss nonetheless.
Betting Picks
Lean: Clippers +3 ✓✓
They’re 8-0 on the road and 7-1 ATS. I don’t love betting against my team, but this line feels wrong.
Strong Lean: Under 226.5 ✓✓✓
The Clippers play elite defense on the road (105 PPG allowed). This stays under 220.
Avoid: Bulls -3
Laying points against an 8-0 road team? Pass.
Player Prop: Kawhi Leonard Over 24.5 Points
Kawhi is going to eat against our defense.
Keys To Victory (Or At Least Covering)
For the Bulls to win:
- DeMar scores 26+ efficiently
- Hold Kawhi and PG to under 45 combined
- Vooch dominates Zubac (20+ points, 12+ rebounds)
- Force 15+ turnovers
- Win the free throw battle
What kills us:
- Kawhi and PG combine for 55+
- We shoot under 42% from the field
- Zubac protects the rim and we can’t score inside
- We turn the ball over 14+ times
- The Clippers execute late and we don’t
The Honest Bulls Fan Take
This is the kind of game that defines our season. Are we actually good, or are we just beating up on bad teams at home?
The Clippers are 8-0 on the road. They’re elite defensively. They’ve got two All-Stars in their prime. They don’t lose away from LA.
We’re on a three-game home win streak and feeling good about ourselves. But reality is about to hit hard.
Can we win? Sure. If DeMar and Zach both go off, if Vooch dominates, if we defend perfectly, we can absolutely win.
Will we win? I’m not confident. The Clippers are too good, too experienced, and too disciplined on the road.
Clippers 108, Bulls 105. We lose close, they cover, and we’re reminded that we’re not quite ready to compete with elite teams yet.
Go Bulls. Prove me wrong. Please.
Game Info Summary
- When: Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET
- Where: United Center, Chicago
- TV: CHSN, NBA League Pass
- Records: Bulls 24-21, Clippers 26-18
- Spread: Bulls -3
- Total: 226.5 points
Clippers’ dominance:
- 8-0 on the road this season
- 7-1 ATS on the road
- Allow 105 PPG on the road (top 5 defense)
Bulls’ momentum:
- 3-game home win streak
- 24-21 record (best of season)
- DeMar averaging 22+ PPG
Key stat: Clippers haven’t lost a road game all season
Final picks:
- Clippers +3 (lean against my own team)
- Under 226.5 (lock it in)
- Kawhi Leonard Over 24.5 points
Bottom line: We’re facing an 8-0 road team. This is going to be tough.
Go Bulls. Shock the world. Beat the Clippers at home.