Game Time: Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET
Location: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
TV: CHSN, FanDuel Sports Network
Spread: Timberwolves -9.5
Total: 239.5 points
Okay Bulls fans, let me be straight with you: this is brutal.
We’re 21-22, riding high off that incredible 138-110 demolition of the Clippers at home. We just scored 138 points against a legitimate contender and looked like world-beaters.
And now we’re heading to Minnesota, where the Timberwolves are 15-6 at home, and we’re 9.5-point underdogs.
Oh, and we’re 7-13 on the road. And we’ve lost FOUR straight road games.
So yeah, we just beat the Clippers by 28, and Vegas is basically saying “cool story, you’re still getting destroyed in Minnesota.”
Current Records: We’re Inconsistent, They’re Good At Home
Bulls: 21-22 (7-13 on the road, on a 4-game road losing streak)
Timberwolves: 27-17 (15-6 at home, on a 3-game losing streak overall)
Here’s the setup: Minnesota is 27-17 and solidly in the Western Conference playoff race. They’re 15-6 at Target Center, which means they’re nearly unbeatable at home.
We’re 21-22 and one game under .500. We just had a massive home win against the Clippers, but we’re 7-13 on the road and have lost four straight away from Chicago.
The Timberwolves are on a three-game losing streak, which sounds promising until you realize we’re the perfect “get right” game for them. Struggling team at home facing a bad road team? That’s how losing streaks end.
Why We’re 9.5-Point Underdogs (And It’s Probably Fair)
1. We’re Terrible On The Road
Seven wins, thirteen losses away from the United Center. We’ve lost FOUR straight road games. We can’t win away from home consistently.
Even after that incredible win against the Clippers, we’re still 7-13 on the road. That record doesn’t lie.
2. Minnesota Is Dominant At Home
15-6 at Target Center. They win 71% of their home games. They’ve got the crowd, the comfort, and the execution.
We’re walking into a building where the Timberwolves rarely lose. That’s a massive disadvantage.
3. Anthony Edwards Is A Problem
Ant-Man is one of the best young players in the NBA. He can score 30+ on any given night, and he thrives at home. Against our inconsistent defense, he’s going to feast.
4. They’re Angry After A Three-Game Skid
Minnesota just lost three straight. They’re frustrated, they’re motivated, and they’re at home facing a team they should beat.
This is a classic “bounce-back game” spot for them.
5. Julius Randle Dominates Inside
Julius Randle averages 10.7 points in the paint per game. He’s physical, aggressive, and going to punish our interior defense all night.
If Randle gets 25+ points in the paint, we’re toast.
Can The Bulls Actually Cover 9.5 Points?
Let me try to find reasons to believe we won’t get blown out:
1. We Just Scored 138 On The Clippers
We dropped 138 points on a good Clippers team. Our offense is clicking right now. DeMar and Zach are both scoring. We’re shooting 48% from the field.
If we can replicate even 75% of that offensive performance, we can stay within single digits.
2. Minnesota’s Defense Has Been Shaky
The Timberwolves are on a three-game losing streak partly because their defense hasn’t been great. They’re middle-of-the-pack defensively, which means we CAN score on them.
If we shoot well, we can put up 115-120 points.
3. We’re Third In The East In Scoring
We’re averaging 117.9 points per game, which ranks third in the Eastern Conference. We have offensive firepower.
In a shootout, we can hang with anybody.
4. Nikola Vučević Can Control The Paint
Vooch provides spacing with his mid-range game and can rebound against Minnesota’s bigs. If he has a big game (20+ points, 12+ rebounds), we stay competitive.
5. Maybe Minnesota Isn’t Fully Locked In Yet
They lost three straight. Sometimes teams come out tight after a losing streak instead of hungry. If we can score early and get them nervous, maybe we have a chance.
But let’s be real—they’re 15-6 at home for a reason.
The Anthony Edwards vs Zach LaVine Showdown
This is the marquee matchup. Two explosive, athletic scorers going head-to-head.
Anthony Edwards is younger, more aggressive defensively, and playing at home. He’s going to attack Zach relentlessly and try to make him work on both ends.
Zach LaVine is our best scorer and needs to match Edwards bucket-for-bucket. If Zach can drop 28-30 and outplay Ant, we’ve got a shot.
But Edwards has the edge. He’s playing at home, he’s got more help, and his team is better.
Edge: Anthony Edwards at Target Center.
My Prediction: We Lose But Maybe Cover
I’m not delusional. The Timberwolves are better than us, they’re at home, and we’re terrible on the road.
But 9.5 points is a lot. And we just scored 138 against the Clippers, so our offense is capable of keeping this respectable.
Final Score: Timberwolves 122, Bulls 115
We lose by 7, which means we cover the 9.5-point spread. Our offense keeps us in it for three quarters, but Minnesota’s home-court advantage and interior dominance pull them away late.
It’s a respectable loss that keeps us from getting embarrassed.
Betting Picks
Best Bet: Bulls +9.5 ✓✓
Nine and a half points is a lot. We just scored 138. I think we keep this within single digits.
Strong Lean: Over 239.5 ✓✓
Both teams can score. We’re averaging 117.9 PPG, they’re averaging 120.1. This should fly over.
Avoid: Timberwolves -9.5
Laying 9.5 with a team on a three-game losing streak? No thanks.
Player Prop: Anthony Edwards Over 27.5 Points
Ant is going to eat against our defense. Smash the over.
Keys To Covering (Not Winning, Just Covering)
For the Bulls to cover +9.5:
- DeMar and Zach combine for 55+ points
- Shoot 46%+ from the field
- Hit 14+ threes
- Don’t let Randle dominate inside (limit him to under 20)
- Stay within 6-8 points heading into the fourth quarter
What kills us:
- Anthony Edwards drops 40+
- We go cold in the third quarter
- Julius Randle gets 25+ in the paint
- Minnesota jumps out 25-10 and we’re done early
- We turn the ball over 16+ times
The Honest Bulls Fan Take
We just beat the Clippers 138-110 at home. That was an incredible performance. Our offense looked unstoppable.
But now we’re going to Minnesota, where we’re 7-13 on the road and the Timberwolves are 15-6 at home.
This is going to be tough. Anthony Edwards is going to score 30+. Julius Randle is going to punish us inside. And Minnesota is desperate to end their losing streak.
Can we win? It’s possible. If DeMar and Zach both go off, if we shoot 50% from the field, if everything breaks right, we can steal this game.
Will we win? Probably not. But can we cover 9.5? I think so.
Timberwolves 122, Bulls 115. We lose but cover the spread. Our offense keeps us respectable, but Minnesota’s home dominance wins out.
Go Bulls. Don’t get embarrassed. Cover the spread and move on.
Game Info Summary
- When: Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET
- Where: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
- TV: CHSN, FanDuel Sports Network
- Records: Bulls 21-22, Timberwolves 27-17
- Spread: Timberwolves -9.5
- Total: 239.5 points
Timberwolves’ home dominance:
- 15-6 at Target Center (71% win rate)
- 11-3 as heavy favorites
- On a 3-game losing streak (dangerous)
Bulls’ road struggles:
- 7-13 on the road
- Lost 4 straight road games
- Just beat Clippers 138-110 at home (momentum?)
Key matchup: Anthony Edwards vs Zach LaVine
Key stat: We’re 3rd in East in scoring (117.9 PPG)
Final picks:
- Bulls +9.5 (best bet)
- Over 239.5 (strong lean)
- Anthony Edwards Over 27.5 points
Bottom line: We probably lose, but 9.5 is too many points.
Go Bulls. Keep it respectable. Cover the spread.