NFL Previews 
MLB Previews 
NBA Previews 
NHL Previews 
Soccer Previews 
Mavericks vs Bulls Picks and Predictions – Saturday January 10, 2026
Dallas is trying to come out of this three-game road swing with a winning trip, but the entire handicap changes with Anthony Davis now dealing with left-hand ligament damage and an uncertain timetable. If he’s out, the Mavericks lose a stabilizer on both ends, especially in half-court defense and late-game rebounding. That shifts more creation onto the guards and puts extra scoring responsibility on Cooper Flagg and Klay Thompson.
Chicago hasn’t played since a midweek home game was postponed due to unsafe floor conditions, so the Bulls effectively get a surprise rest day before hosting Dallas at the United Center. They also enter on a three-game losing streak, and the emphasis is clear: more physicality inside, better fourth-quarter resistance, and fewer possessions that end with them getting pushed off their spots.
Dallas Mavericks vs Chicago Bulls Odds
These are the current betting lines, and bettors should keep tracking latest NBA odds as Dallas injury updates and late money reshape the market closer to tip. latest NBA odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Mavericks | +135 | +3.0 (-114) | O 228.5 (-110) |
| Chicago Bulls | -155 | -3.0 (-108) | U 228.5 (-110) |
Dallas Mavericks Betting Form
Dallas has played two close games on this trip, and the pattern matters for bettors. They’re surviving possessions with shot-making and timely execution, but the margin gets thinner fast if the defense can’t finish stops with rebounds. Without Davis, that problem gets louder because he’s the type of presence that cleans up mistakes and prevents opponents from getting second chances.
Offensively, the path is pretty straightforward. Flagg has been aggressive and efficient, and Dallas will need him to keep attacking early in the clock, not just bailing possessions out late. Thompson still changes the geometry of the floor, and if Chicago overhelps, Dallas can generate high-value threes. The risk is that the Mavericks become too perimeter-dependent, which is a dangerous way to live on the road if the legs go or the whistle dries up. For deeper team context, use Mavericks stats and results.
Before you bet Dallas, check the latest availability here: Dallas Mavericks injury report.
Chicago Bulls Betting Form
Chicago’s recent skid has featured the same issue that keeps showing up in their losses: they’ll hang around, then get out-muscled in the fourth quarter. That showed up again in a loss where they were outscored heavily late, and the Bulls have been vocal about needing more physicality in the paint and better possession-to-possession toughness.
The added wrinkle is their big-man rotation. If they’re short on frontcourt depth, it can hurt their rim defense and their ability to control the glass, which is usually the quickest way to let a short favorite bleed value. Still, the Bulls’ offense often looks cleaner at home, and this is a matchup where they can pressure Dallas’ non-primary creators and force tougher late-clock decisions. For more on form and team trends, use Bulls schedule and stats.
Make sure you verify who’s in before laying points: Chicago Bulls injury report.
Dallas Mavericks vs Chicago Bulls Matchup Breakdown
Start with the interior. Chicago wants to win with strength and touch around the rim, and Dallas without Davis loses a big piece of deterrence. If the Bulls can consistently get paint touches and draw help, they can generate either free throws or catch-and-shoot looks, and that’s the recipe for a favorite to separate.
Dallas’ counter is spacing and pace control. If Flagg is getting downhill and Thompson is pulling defenders into uncomfortable rotations, the Mavericks can make Chicago guard for the full possession. That matters because the Bulls have been vulnerable late, and Dallas has already played two tight games on this trip, so they’re in a rhythm of closing possessions.
This also feels like a game where turnovers decide the spread. Chicago wants to win the physical battle, but if they’re sloppy with the ball, Dallas can steal points in transition and keep the game in the coin-flip range. If you want a clean framework for how availability and shot profile should move your number, the expert betting guide and the NBA betting guide are useful.
Dallas Mavericks vs Chicago Bulls Predictions and Best Bets
If Davis is out, I lean Chicago at this number. The Bulls get an unexpected rest advantage, they’re at home, and this is the type of matchup where they can lean into paint offense and make Dallas defend multiple actions without that backline safety net.
The case for Dallas is that the market may still be underestimating how much their offense can survive on spacing, and Flagg’s confidence is real right now. If Chicago is still short-handed up front, the Bulls may not be able to punish Dallas inside as consistently as the matchup suggests, and then you’re basically betting a short spread in a high-variance shooting game.
Without a posted total in your prompt, I’m not forcing a total bet. But stylistically, if Chicago plays through the paint and Dallas answers with threes, the scoring can come in bursts. That’s the kind of game where the spread matters more than a blind over or under.
Best Bet: Chicago Bulls -3
NBA Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you’re building a card for the full slate, start with NBA picks and compare angles game-to-game instead of betting in isolation. For more matchup breakdowns in this format, the NBA previews hub is the quickest way to stay consistent across teams and travel spots.
If you prefer to follow proven long-term performance, check the best handicappers and the leaderboard. If you want full access to premium plays, you can also buy picks. And for quick navigation between team trends while you line shop, use the NBA teams hub.
