Chicago Bulls guard Tre Jones set a new career high with 34 points on Tuesday night, but it wasn’t enough to prevent a 119-113 road loss against the Houston Rockets—a result that casts a shadow over Wednesday’s rematch against the Utah Jazz.
Jazz Face Bulls Without Key Scorer
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Utah is seeking to complete a season sweep, but a key player’s illness could change the equation.
- Lauri Markkanen, who led all players with 47 points in the first meeting between these teams, is listed as doubtful due to illness.
- The Jazz are looking for their third win in four games after a previous five-game losing streak.
- Chicago has won three of its last four home games, despite Tuesday’s setback in Houston.
The Utah Jazz outlasted the Chicago Bulls in a double-overtime thriller earlier this season, largely thanks to a dominant performance by Lauri Markkanen. However, the Jazz will likely attempt to complete a season sweep of the Bulls without their star forward, as Markkanen is doubtful for Wednesday’s 8 p.m. ET matchup in Chicago due to an illness.
Markkanen’s Absence Looms Large
Markkanen, who spent the first four seasons of his NBA career with the Bulls, was unstoppable in the first meeting, scoring 47 points in Utah’s 150-147 victory on November 16. Currently averaging 27.9 points per game—11th in the league—his absence will undoubtedly be felt. Keyonte George, who led the Jazz with 32 points in Monday’s 123-112 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, may need to elevate his game further if Markkanen is unable to play.
Bulls Look to Bounce Back
Chicago (18-21) is aiming to rebound from Tuesday’s defeat in Houston. Tre Jones’ career-high 34 points weren’t enough to overcome the Rockets, but the Bulls have generally performed well at home, winning three of their last four contests at the United Center. The Jazz (14-25) are seeking their third win in four games after snapping a five-game losing streak with Monday’s victory in Cleveland.
Other NBA Action on Wednesday
Beyond the Jazz-Bulls matchup, Wednesday’s NBA schedule features a compelling contest between the Cleveland Cavaliers (22-19) and the Philadelphia 76ers (22-16) at 7 p.m. ET at Xfinity Mobile Arena. The Cavaliers secured a 132-121 home win against the 76ers earlier in the season and will face them again in Philadelphia on Friday.
NHL and College Basketball Also on Tap
The NHL schedule includes a game between the Philadelphia Flyers (22-14-8) and the Buffalo Sabres (24-16-4) at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Sabres, despite a recent loss to the Florida Panthers, had previously won 13 of their last 14 games. In college basketball, Rice (7-10) will face Texas-San Antonio (4-12) at 8 p.m. ET, with both teams struggling—the Roadrunners on a nine-game losing streak and the Owls having lost four of their last five.
Betting Odds
The Bulls are currently favored by 4.5 points against the Jazz, while the 76ers are 1.5-point favorites over the Cavaliers. In the NHL, the Sabres are -142 on the money line against the Flyers, and Rice is a 6.5-point favorite versus Texas-San Antonio.
NBA Best Bets
Cavaliers at 76ers
Time: 7 p.m. | Location: Philadelphia | TV: ESPN | Stream: Fubo (Try for free)
SportsLine picks – Model: Cavaliers -104 | Expert: Joel Embiid Over 25.5 points (-118, PropBetGuy)
The Cavaliers are 8-9 on the road, but have won two of their last three. The 76ers have lost two of their last three at home, holding a 10-9 record there. The SportsLine Projection Model gives the Cavaliers a 60% chance of winning. PropBetGuy (44-28, +1163 on his last 72 NBA player prop picks) predicts a strong performance from Joel Embiid, who has scored at least 26 points in eight of his last 11 games.
Jazz at Bulls
Time: 8 p.m. | Location: Chicago | TV: NBA League Pass | Stream: Fubo (Try for free)
SportsLine picks – Model: Bulls -181 | Expert: Matas Buzelis Over 17.5 points (-106, Mike Barner)
Despite losing four of their last five, the Bulls have won three of their past four at home. The Jazz dropped four straight on the road before Monday’s win at Cleveland. With Markkanen doubtful, the SportsLine Projection Model favors the Bulls, predicting a win in 72% of simulations. Mike Barner believes Chicago’s Matas Buzelis will contribute offensively, having scored 19 or more points in five of his last seven games since Josh Giddey’s injury.
