Charlotte HornetsOpen full analysis
Chicago BullsOpen full analysis
The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Chicago Bulls 112–99 on January 3 at the United Center, staying well below the Vegas total of 241.5 points. Mikal Bridges led Charlotte with 26 points while Brandon Miller added 22, powering a balanced offensive attack that shot 42.9 percent from the field and made 15 three-pointers. The Hornets dominated the glass with 52 rebounds to Chicago's 43 and controlled the game's tempo through a dominant third quarter, outscoring the Bulls 32–17 to seize control. Chicago's Nikola Vučević paced the home team with 28 points, supported by Matas Buzelis's 17, but the Bulls' 44.8 percent shooting and 11 made threes proved insufficient against Charlotte's suffocating defense. The Bulls' defensive rating ballooned to 113.0 while Charlotte's stood at 100.9, reflecting the visitors' defensive discipline and efficiency advantage. Both teams committed 11 turnovers, but Charlotte's 52-rebound advantage and 113.0 offensive rating—nine points higher than Chicago's—proved decisive. The loss marks another step backward for the Bulls as Charlotte consolidates its position in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
