The Chicago Bulls face a critical test on Sunday, November 16, 2025, when they travel to the Delta Center to take on the Utah Jazz — a game that could define whether their season is spiraling or just hitting a rough patch. Despite being 4.5-point favorites, the Bulls enter this matchup on a four-game losing streak, having collapsed after a promising 5-0 start to the 2025-26 NBA season. The Sunday night showdownDelta Center isn’t just another game. It’s a chance for Chicago to prove they’re still a playoff contender — or confirm fears they’re unraveling under pressure.
What’s Going Wrong for the Bulls?
It’s not just the losses. It’s how they’re losing. In their most recent game, a 124-113 defeat to the injury-riddled Detroit Pistons, the Bulls committed 21 turnovers and surrendered 66 points in the paint — against a team that hadn’t won in six games. Turnovers are the silent killer here. When the ball is slipping through fingers instead of finding open shooters, momentum dies. And with Josh Giddey sidelined for the second straight game due to an ankle injury, their playmaking has been gutted. Without him, the offense becomes predictable, relying too heavily on isolation plays.
Meanwhile, Matas Buzelis is doing everything right — dropping 21 points and 14 rebounds in that Pistons loss — but he’s carrying too much weight. Nikola Vucevic, the veteran center, looked lost, scoring just six points in 25 minutes. And Kevin Huerter and Isaac Okoro are stepping up with 20 and 15 points respectively, but they’re not enough to offset the team’s defensive breakdowns.
Utah’s Quiet Resilience
Don’t let the Jazz’s 4-8 record fool you. They’ve covered the spread in each of their last six home games after a loss. That’s not luck. That’s discipline. And it’s rooted in one thing: rebounding. The Utah Jazz rank second in the NBA in offensive rebound percentage at 32.0%. They don’t need to shoot well to stay alive — they just need to chase every miss like it’s their last chance. In their last home game, they grabbed 19 offensive boards, turning those into 22 second-chance points. That’s the kind of grind that wears down even the most athletic teams.
They’re also playing with house money. After losing 16 straight games to teams with winning records, they’ve got nothing to lose. And in Salt Lake City, the crowd is loud, the floor is fast, and the energy is different. The Jazz thrive here — especially when they’re underestimated. Their pick-and-roll game, led by their guards, is sharp. They don’t need stars. They need structure. And they’ve found it under head coach Will Hardy.
The Betting Trends That Tell the Real Story
The over/under is 242.5 points. And here’s the thing: the Chicago Bulls have gone over in seven of their last nine games. The Utah Jazz have gone over in nine of their last 10 home games. That’s 16 out of 19 games — an 84% clip. This isn’t a fluke. Both teams play fast. Both teams miss shots. And both teams chase rebounds like their season depends on it. The pace will be high. The scoring will be messy. And the over is the smart play.
As for the spread? BetMGM’s model gives the Bulls a 59.5% chance to win and a 57.3% chance to cover. But here’s the twist: Chicago has lost seven of their last eight games on the first leg of a back-to-back. And they’ve failed to cover in seven of their last eight games in that same scenario. Sunday is the first leg. They play again on Tuesday. That’s a red flag.
What Leans.ai Says About the Real Battle
Leans.ai — the AI analytics platform — breaks it down cleanly: Chicago’s defense must force Utah into mid-range jumpers. Not drives. Not post-ups. Not open threes. If the Jazz get clean looks at the rim, they’ll win. That means Buzelis and Vucevic must communicate on screens, stay connected, and avoid lazy switches. One misstep, and Utah Jazz guards like Jordan Clarkson or Dallin Hall will exploit it.
On the other end, Utah must dominate the glass. If they let the Bulls grab defensive rebounds and push the pace, they’re dead. Chicago averages 13.5 second-chance points per game this season — the third-lowest in the league. That’s not a strength. It’s a weakness. If Utah can limit those opportunities, they control the tempo. And if they can turn a single offensive rebound into a fast break? That’s how you steal a road win.
Why This Game Matters Beyond the Box Score
This isn’t just about winning or losing. For the Bulls, it’s about identity. Are they a team that can grind through adversity? Or are they a collection of talented players who fold when things get tough? For the Jazz, it’s about proving they’re not just a rebuilding team. They’re a team that knows how to win ugly — and they’re tired of being written off.
The last time these teams met in Salt Lake City, the Bulls won 111-97. But that was last season. This team is different. So is this Jazz squad. And in the NBA, context changes everything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are the Bulls favored despite their losing streak?
Despite their four-game skid, the Bulls are still favored because of their overall roster talent, recent road performance (they’ve covered the spread in six of their last seven road games after a loss), and BetMGM’s model factoring in player health and historical matchups. The Jazz’s 16-game losing streak against winning teams also weighs heavily in Chicago’s favor, even if the current form suggests otherwise.
Is the over really the safest bet here?
Yes. The over has hit in 7 of the Bulls’ last 9 games and 9 of Utah’s last 10 home games. Both teams rank in the top 10 in pace, and neither defends the paint consistently. With Chicago’s turnover issues and Utah’s offensive rebounding, expect a high-scoring, chaotic game — easily surpassing 242.5 points.
How does Josh Giddey’s absence impact the game?
Giddey’s absence removes Chicago’s primary playmaker and facilitator. Without him, the offense becomes stagnant, forcing Buzelis and Huerter into higher-volume roles they’re not built for. Utah can afford to sag off shooters and collapse on drives, knowing Chicago lacks a true floor general to break the defense. His return could swing the series.
Can the Jazz actually win this game?
Absolutely. If Utah controls the boards, limits Chicago’s transition opportunities, and forces 20+ turnovers, they can win outright. They’ve covered in six straight home games after a loss. The Bulls are on a back-to-back, tired, and mentally fragile. In the right environment, with the right effort, Utah can pull off the upset.
What’s the key matchup to watch?
Buzelis vs. Utah’s interior defenders — especially Walker Kessler and Mark Williams. If Buzelis can dominate the paint, he’ll draw double-teams and open up shooters. But if Utah’s bigs contain him and force him into tough mid-range shots, Chicago’s offense stalls. His performance will dictate whether the Bulls stay competitive.
What’s the prediction for the final score?
Expect a close, high-scoring game: Chicago 124, Utah 121. The Bulls edge it out thanks to late buckets from Huerter and Buzelis, but it’s ugly — 245 total points, 23 turnovers from Chicago, and 18 offensive rebounds from Utah. The over hits. The Bulls cover. But the Jazz leave with pride — and proof they’re no longer pushovers.
