PREVIEW: The Chicago Bulls (23-22) will look to continue a four-game winning run when hosting the Los Angeles Lakers (27-17) on January 26, 2026 at United Center. The Bulls are coming off an impressive clutch victory against the Boston Celtics and have now won four straight games. Los Angeles enters with elite efficiency attacking the rim, ranking first overall, while also leading the league in free throw rate at 0.312. The battle in the paint could decide this game, as the Lakers rank third in the NBA in points in the paint while the Bulls allow the fewest paint points in the league. Chicago counters with a quick-tempo attack ranking third and excels at defensive rebounding, positioned fourth league-wide. This matchup should once again test the Lakers' clutch abilities against the Bulls, who are also one of the best clutch teams in the association. The Bulls rank as the seventh-best three-point shooting team in the league and are a very good rebounding team, but don't score and defend well inside the paint, so that's where the Lakers can take advantage. The Lakers have won six of their past seven games and are unbeaten through three games of their current homestand, with Los Angeles delivering three consecutive victories without LeBron James, who is on the mend from a right hip contusion and left foot arthritis, as Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves have delivered plenty of firepower without James.