Bulls vs Heat Prediction 1/8/26 NBA Picks Today
Miami Heat (20-17) vs. Chicago Bulls (17-20)
January 8, 2026 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: Chicago Bulls +7.5; Over/Under: 240.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls meet Thursday in NBA action at the United Center. Here’s a Bulls vs Heat Prediction. This article will include a Bulls vs Heat Pick.
Miami Heat Betting Preview
The Miami Heat beat the Pelicans, lost to the Timberwolves, and they play the Pacers next. The Heat have won 5 of their last 7 games.
The Miami Heat are averaging 120.1 points on 46.9 percent shooting and allowing 117.4 points on 45.9 percent shooting. Norman Powell is averaging 24.4 points and 3.7 rebounds, while Tyler Herro is averaging 23.2 points and 2.3 assists. Bam Adebayo is the third double-digit scorer, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. is grabbing 5.3 rebounds. The Miami Heat are shooting 37 percent from beyond the arc and 79.3 percent from the free-throw line. The Miami Heat are allowing 34.4 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 45.6 rebounds per game.
Chicago Bulls Betting Preview
The Chicago Bulls lost to the Pistons and Celtics, and they play the Mavs next. The Bulls have won 8 of their last 14 games.
The Chicago Bulls are averaging 117.1 points on 47.2 percent shooting and allowing 121.2 points on 47.4 percent shooting. Josh Giddey is averaging 19.2 points and 8.9 rebounds, while Coby White is averaging 19.2 points and 4.7 assists. Nikola Vucevic is the third double-digit scorer and Matas Buzelis is grabbing 5.4 rebounds. The Chicago Bulls are shooting 36 percent from beyond the arc and 78.2 percent from the free-throw line. The Chicago Bulls are allowing 36.7 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 45.6 rebounds per game.
Why the Chicago Bulls will win
- The Bulls have won each of their last eight games as home underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Heat have lost each of their last four games as road favorites against Central Division opponents.
- The Bulls have covered the spread in each of their last 10 games as underdogs against Southeast Division opponents.
- The Heat have failed to cover the spread in 12 of their last 13 games as favorites against Central Division opponents.
Why the Miami Heat will win
- The Heat have won each of their last seven games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a losing record.
- The Bulls have lost eight of their last nine games following a road loss.
- The Heat have covered the spread in each of their last eight road games against the Bulls following a loss.
- The Bulls have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
Total Points Facts
- Seven of the Bulls’ last eight home games against Eastern Conference opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Seven of the Heat’s last eight road games following a road loss have gone OVER the total points line.
Chicago Bulls Player Facts
- Nikola Vucevic has recorded 13+ rebounds in two consecutive appearances – equal-longest active streak of any player in the league.
- Tre Jones ranks 9th amongst qualified players for assist:turnover ratio (4.0) this season.
Miami Heat Player Facts
- Davion Mitchell has recorded eight games with 4+ assists and zero turnovers this season – equal-most of any player in the league.
- Kel’el Ware is the only qualified player in the league to be leading their team in blocks per game (1.3) and three-point shooting percentage (43.0%) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Bulls rank 29th in the league for opponent turnovers per game this season (12.6).
- The Bulls are one of only two teams to record multiple wins when trailing by a margin of 10+ points through Q3 this season.
- The Heat rank 1st in the league for field goal attempts per game this season (93.4).
- The Heat rank 1st in the league for Q1 points per game this season (31.8).
Bulls vs Heat Injury Report
The Bulls will be without Noa Essengue, Zach Collins, Jalen Smith, and Josh Giddey. Coby White and Matas Buzelis are questionable.
The Heat will be without Terry Rozier. Jaime Jaquez Jr. is questionable.
Bulls vs Heat Prediction
The Bulls are as banged up as any team in the league, they’re averaging 97.6 points during their three-game losing streak, and they’re on the end of a back to back. This is a brutal spot for the Bulls. The Heat are known for playing down their competition, so they’re not a team I’m excited to lay big numbers with.
However, the Heat are as healthy as they’ve been in a while with the return of Herro, and they have the rest advantage. There are no excuses for the Heat here. Anything but a comfortable win would be disappointing. Back in November, the Heat beat the Bulls 143-107. I’ll lay the chalk based on the schedule spot and injuries for the Bulls.



