Bulls vs. Hornets NBA expert prediction and odds for Wednesday, Jan. 31 (Bet Chicago)

The Chicago Bulls have dropped three of their last four games and sit in ninth place in the Eastern Conference. The Bulls returned home Tuesday following a three-game road trip and dropped a 118-107 decision to the Toronto Raptors. Chicago is just 2-3 in five games without two-time All-Star Zach Lavine (ankle), who should return soon. Can they bounce back on the road as short favorites against the lowly Hornets?

Charlotte is in the midst of a lost season and is building for the future after recently trading Terry Rozier. Charlotte is expected to make more moves ahead of the Feb. 8 trade deadline. Can you back them as home underdogs? 

Here’s a betting preview of Wednesday’s matchup with a best bet.

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Chicago Bulls injury report

Charlotte Hornets injury report

Bulls

DeMar DeRozan: The veteran small forward has been Chicago’s leading scorer in each of the last three games and is averaging 25.6 points in that span. DeRozan has played 40-plus minutes in four consecutive contests and is coming off a 25-point outing in Tuesday’s loss to Toronto. 

Hornets

Brandon Miller: The No. 2 overall pick in last year’s NBA Draft is a key piece in Charlotte’s long-term puzzle. The Alabama product has been a long bright spot for the Hornets and was recently selected to participate in the 2024 NBA Rising Stars game in Indianapolis next month. Miller is averaging 15.1 points per game and has scored 20-plus in five of the last seven games. On Monday, he tied a career-high with 29 points (11-of-19 shooting) in a 113-92 loss to the Knicks. 

The Bulls might be a bit banged-up, but they’ll face a Charlotte team with little depth after the Hornets had just one point off the bench in Monday’s 21-point home loss to the Knicks. 

The Hornets have the second-worst ATS record in the NBA this season (16-29) and haven’t covered in five straight games. The Hornets are one of three teams with double-digit ATS losses (8-10) as a home underdog and have posted just a 3-6 ATS mark with a rest advantage. 

Chicago is only a road favorite for the seventh time this season, but have gone 4-2 in that spot. The Bulls’ defense can travel, ranking ninth in the NBA in scoring. Chicago now faces a Charlotte squad that is 28th in offensive rating and is now without Terry Rozier, who was averaging a career-high 23.2 points per game before being dealt to Miami. 

Chicago is 3-0 against the Hornets this season straight up, winning by 10.3 points per game. They’ve covered in all three games, too. That trend continues tonight. Back the Bulls as a small favorite. 

Game odds update periodically and are subject to change.