The Denver Nuggets and the Chicago Bulls enter this game both on losing skids, so one of them is going to be back in the win column this Sunday. Check out our preview of this intriguing matchup below.
Catch this game live on Sunday, February 8, 2026 at 9:00 AM, Manila time
Away: Denver Nuggets (33-19, 19-9 Away)
Projected Starting Five:
- Jamal Murray
- Christian Braun (Probable)
- Tim Hardaway Jr.
- Julian Strawther
- Nikola Jokic (Questionable)
Things have not been especially great lately for Denver. The Nuggets have gone winless in their last three outings following a 134-127 double-overtime loss at the hands of the New York Knicks in the Big Apple on Thursday.
The other two losses were against the best team in the West (and in the league) in the Oklahoma City Thunder and to the No. 1 team in the East in the Detroit Pistons. With that said, facing the Bulls, who have just lost center Nikola Vucevic, seems like a tasty opportunity for the Nuggets to get their mojo back.
However, the Nuggets could be missing a number of key players for this matchup, with Nikola Jokic (ankle) listed as questionable. Spencer Jones (head) and Peyton Watson (hamstring) are ruled out, while Christian Braun (ankle) is probable.
Denver, which is leading the NBA with a 121.2 offensive rating, is 7-3 against the spread in its last 10 games in the Windy City.
Home: Chicago Bulls (24-28, 15-11 Home)
Projected Starting Five:
- Jaden Ivey
- Coby White
- Isaac Okoro
- Matas Buzelis
- Jalen Smith (Questionable)
The Bulls are not in a blazing form either. They are on a three-game losing skid and have gone just 1-6 in their last seven outings. In their most recent game, the Bulls got crushed by the Toronto Raptors, 123-107, to cap Chicago’s four-game road trip.
But playing at home for this rematch against Chicago may get the Bulls a nice little boost to its morale, at least. Chicago defeated the Nuggets, 130-127, in November in Denver, but that was when the Bulls still had Vooch around and Josh Giddey healthy. Giddey is currently sidelined with a hamstring issue, while big man Jalen Smith is questionable with a calf injury.
Meanwhile, Anfernee Simons has been impressive since getting acquired by the Bulls from a trade with the Boston Celtics. He has scored 49 points on a 54.5 FG% with 12 3-pointers in two games thus far in Bulls colors.
Chicago, 15th in the league with a 114.8 offensive rating, is 3-2 ATS in its last five games at home.
Picks
Spread: Chicago Bulls (+5.5)
Over/Under: Over (232.5)
