February 7, 2026 | Ball Arena, Denver | 9:00 PM ET | ESPN, NBC Sports Chicago
Well, here we go. Fresh off whatever happened in Toronto, we’re heading straight into the lion’s den to face the defending NBA champions. The Denver Nuggets (36–15) are rolling at 8–2 in their last 10, sitting pretty in 2nd place out West. Meanwhile, we’re at 25–27, clinging to 9th in the East and trying not to fall completely out of the play-in picture.
This is the kind of game where you find out what you’re really made of.
What Happened Last Time
The Nuggets already handled us 118–104 earlier this season. Nikola Jokić casually dropped a triple-double like he was playing a pickup game, and we had no answer. That’s been the story all year against elite centers—we just don’t have the personnel to slow them down.
Now we’re walking into Ball Arena, where Denver has been absolutely dominant all season. They don’t lose at home unless something goes seriously wrong.
The Nuggets: Still the Team to Beat
Record: 36–15 (8–2 in last 10)
Let’s be real—Denver is just better than us right now. They score 119.3 points per game with ridiculous 50.1% shooting from the field. That’s not a typo. They’re shooting over 50 percent as a team.
Jokić is putting up MVP numbers again: 25.4 points, 11.8 rebounds, 9.6 assists. He’s not just scoring—he’s conducting a symphony out there. Jamal Murray gives them clutch scoring and actually plays defense, and Michael Porter Jr. spaces the floor perfectly.
Their offense is top-three in the entire league in efficiency. They move the ball (29.4 assists per game), they don’t turn it over much, and they execute in crunch time. Everything we struggle with, they excel at.
Where the Bulls Stand
Record: 25–27 (5–5 in last 10)
At least we’ve been .500 over our last 10 games, which feels like progress after some of the rough patches this season. Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan can absolutely get buckets—we’re scoring 117.1 per game, which isn’t bad at all.
The problem? Everything else.
Our defense ranks bottom-10 in efficiency. We turn the ball over too much (14.1 per game compared to Denver’s 12.2). And when games get tight in the fourth quarter, we fold more often than not. Against elite teams like Denver, those weaknesses get exposed ruthlessly.
Nikola Vučević has been solid offensively, but asking him to contain Jokić is like asking a garden hose to stop a flood. It’s not happening.
Breaking Down the Matchup
| Category | Nuggets | Bulls |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goal % | 50.1% | 47.3% |
| Points Per Game | 119.3 | 117.1 |
| Assists | 29.4 | 25.1 |
| Rebounds | 46.7 | 44.3 |
| Turnovers | 12.2 | 14.1 |
They beat us in literally every category. They shoot better, pass better, rebound better, and take care of the ball better. The only advantage we might have is in transition—we average 17.6 fast break points per game. If we can’t get out and run, we’re cooked.
How Chicago Can (Somehow) Win This Game
Push the Pace Relentlessly
Our only chance is turning this into a track meet. We need Ayo Dosunmu and Alex Caruso creating havoc, getting steals, and pushing in transition before Denver’s defense gets set. If we let them walk the ball up and execute their half-court offense, it’s going to be a long night.
Vooch Needs His Best Game
Vučević isn’t stopping Jokić—nobody really stops Jokić. But he needs to at least make the MVP work on defense and stay out of foul trouble. If Vooch picks up two quick fouls and has to sit, we might as well pack it in early.
Hit Threes at a High Clip
Denver shoots 38.2% from deep while we’re at 35.4%. That gap matters, especially in a high-scoring game. We need LaVine, DeRozan, and whoever else to knock down open looks. If we shoot another 14% from three like we did in Miami, just turn the TV off.
Jamal Murray Can’t Go Off
Murray loves playing against us, and if he gets hot from the perimeter while also clamping up LaVine on the other end, it’s game over. We need someone—anyone—to make him work on both ends.
The Betting Reality Check
- Spread: Nuggets -9.5
- Over/Under: 235.5
- Moneyline: Nuggets -420, Bulls +320
Denver’s covered in 7 of their last 9 home games. We’re 2–6 against the spread in our last 8 road games. Vegas is basically begging you to take the Nuggets, and honestly, they’re probably right.
The over has hit in 6 of Denver’s last 8 games, which makes sense given their offensive firepower.
Bulls Fan Prediction: What’s Really Going Down
Final Score: Nuggets 122, Bulls 108
I want to believe we can go into Denver and shock the world. I want to believe LaVine and DeRozan will both get hot and we’ll defend well enough to keep it close. I want to believe we’ll execute down the stretch for once.
But I’ve watched this team all season.
Denver’s going to control the tempo from the opening tip. Jokić will rack up another triple-double while making our defense look silly. Murray will hit timely threes, and their depth will overwhelm us in the second half. We’ll compete for a quarter, maybe a half, but then the talent gap will show.
The altitude doesn’t help either. By the fourth quarter, our legs will be heavy, our shots will be short, and Denver will pull away.
Why We Should Still Watch
Because we’re Bulls fans, and this is what we do. We show up. We believe. And every once in a while, this team surprises us.
Maybe tonight Zach drops 40. Maybe DeMar gets that mid-range going and doesn’t miss. Maybe Vooch has the game of his life against the best center in basketball. Maybe our defense actually shows up for once.
It’s a long shot, but it’s our long shot.
The play-in race is tight, and we need to start stealing games we’re not supposed to win. If not now, when?
See Red, let´s go Bulls! Let’s get this upset.