Chicago Bulls at Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, February 16 looks like a mismatch on paper. Our ratings give the Lakers about a 85% chance, and the Bulls would need an unusual night to change that.
Why the gap is wide
The Win Meter reads the Lakers 85%, with a projected score of Chicago Bulls 110, Los Angeles Lakers 121. The rating gap is 207 points in favor of the Lakers, and home court and rest add about 101 rating points for the Lakers on top of that.
A reading this high has real meaning, but upsets of this size happen. Nearly one game in 7 like it goes the other way.
Recent form
The Bulls are 1-2 this season and 1-4 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -17. The Lakers are 2-0 this season and 2-3 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -3.2.
The Bulls were beaten 135-92 on the road by TOR not long ago.
The Lakers' best recent win was 127-105 at home against GSW.
The Lakers were beaten 131-108 at home by OKC not long ago.
Injuries to watch
Out: Nicolas Claxton (CHI), expected back Nov 4, 2026, Cameron Carr (LAL), expected back Oct 27, 2026, and Adou Thiero (LAL), expected back Oct 27, 2026.
Day to day or questionable: Noa Essengue (CHI), Patrick Williams (CHI), and Walker Kessler (LAL). Their status can change before tip-off.
The season series
In our records of recent meetings, the series is even, with the Bulls outscoring the Lakers by an average of 2.5 points per game. The last meeting was CHI 130, LAL 142.