Chicago Bulls at Cleveland Cavaliers prediction, team news and lineups on Nov. 16, 2026

The Bulls at Cavaliers game on Monday, Nov. 16 pairs a 1-9 Chicago team that has lost eight straight with a 6-6 Cleveland side still looking for consistency. Both teams are dealing with frontcourt injuries.

Chicago lost rookie Caleb Wilson, its top shot-taker, to a fractured right hand on Wednesday. Cleveland will be without Evan Mobley on Friday because of a sprained toe, and his status for Monday has not been announced.

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

When is Bulls at Cavaliers?

• Date: Monday, November 16, 2026
• Tip-off: 7 p.m. ET
• Competition: NBA, 2026–27 regular season
• Home team: Cavaliers
• Bulls win: 39%
• Cavaliers win: 85%

What is the Bulls at Cavaliers prediction?

Early market prices show the Cavaliers at 85% and the Bulls at 39%, and trading has not yet separated the two sides. Market data as of November 13, 2026. For the latest market probabilities, check the OG.com platform. Chicago's case starts with how its last home game began. The Bulls scored 41 points in the first quarter, shot 66% in the first half and led San Antonio 64-42 midway through the second quarter.

The problem came after halftime. Five Chicago turnovers fed an 18-3 San Antonio run to open the third quarter, and the Bulls finished with 19 turnovers to the Spurs' six. Over their last five games, all losses, the Bulls have allowed 127.4 points per game and lost by an average of 14.8.

Cleveland holds the steadier interior profile. In its last five games the Cavaliers outscored opponents 212-186 in the paint, while the Bulls were outscored 292-266 in theirs. With Wilson out, much of the offense that ran through him needs a new owner.

Cleveland has not separated itself either. The Cavaliers are 2-3 over their last five games with points scored and allowed level at 559, and they lost 124-112 at Charlotte on Nov. 9. The route to a comfortable win depends on Mobley's availability and on Chicago giving away possessions.

Bulls at Cavaliers win probabilities

• Bulls win: 39%
• Cavaliers win: 85%

Chicago's 39% and Cleveland's 85% come from separate contracts, and each can move as traders react to news. Wilson's absence, Powell's back and Mobley's toe are the developments most likely to shape both prices before Monday. Traders on sports prediction markets weigh updates like these as they arrive.

How could Bulls at Cavaliers unfold?

The game plays out through Chicago's start and its ball security. The Bulls can score early, as the 22-point lead over San Antonio showed, but they gave it back when turnovers fed the Spurs' transition game. San Antonio won the fast-break battle 21-6.

That gap is the clearest route for Cleveland. Over their last five games the Bulls were outscored 106-70 on fast-break points, while the Cavaliers hold a narrow 75-71 edge in the same stat. Live turnovers would turn Cleveland's modest transition numbers into easy baskets.

Chicago's route runs through the three-point line. The Bulls made 15 of 29 from deep against the Spurs, and Charlotte made 23 of 46 against Cleveland on Nov. 9. A hot shooting start gives the Bulls a chance to stay within reach, and Charlotte's night shows how it can hurt Cleveland.

Cleveland's offense runs through its guards. James Harden scored a season-high 32 points at New York after averaging 15.3 points on 36.4% shooting, and Donovan Mitchell added 23. If that production holds, the Cavaliers can lean on shot-making against a Chicago defense allowing 127.4 points per game.

What is the latest team news?

Both teams have frontcourt questions, and Chicago's list is longer.

What is the latest on the Bulls?

Wilson had successful surgery Thursday on a fractured right hand, and the team said he will be re-evaluated in three weeks. ESPN, citing sources, reported a four to six week absence, which runs well past Nov. 16. He averaged 18.9 points on a team-high 16.2 shot attempts in 10 games.

Norman Powell was listed as questionable for Friday's game against Atlanta with low-back spasms after missing the loss to San Antonio. He averaged 19.3 points in eight games. Dailyn Swain is questionable with right disc irritation, and Tobe Awaka is out with disc irritation. Their Monday status is not yet known.

What is the latest on the Cavaliers?

Mobley is out Friday at Miami with a sprained left big toe, according to the team's injury report. He hurt it late at New York when he fell after a block. Cleveland has given no return timeline. He is averaging 16.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists.

Sam Merrill is out with right elbow injury management. Jarrett Allen, back from his own injury, had 11 points and 14 rebounds at New York and would carry more rim protection if Mobley sits again.

What are the projected starting lineups?

Each side's starting group depends on a pending injury decision, so both projections carry an assumption.

How could the Bulls line up?

Projected starting five:

• Josh Giddey
• Norman Powell
• Isaac Okoro
• Matas Buzelis
• Jalen Smith

This projection assumes Powell is available. Okoro, Buzelis, Smith and Giddey started against San Antonio with Powell out, so that group is the likely base if his back keeps him out again. Nic Claxton, who scored 17 points in 16 minutes off the bench, is the key reserve.

How could the Cavaliers line up?

Projected starting five:

• James Harden
• Donovan Mitchell
• Peyton Watson
• Evan Mobley
• Jarrett Allen

This projection assumes Mobley returns from his toe sprain. Cleveland beat reporting points to Tyrese Proctor starting with Watson moving to power forward if he cannot play. Mario Hezonja is another frontcourt option.

What could decide Bulls at Cavaliers?

Three questions carry most of the weight for this game.

Who replaces Wilson's shots for the Bulls?

Wilson took more shots than anyone on the roster, so the Bulls need several players to score at once. Jalen Smith scored 23 points against San Antonio, matching his career high, and Claxton added 17 off the bench. Buzelis and Giddey each scored 19 against Philadelphia on Nov. 8.

If Powell returns, that scoring load becomes easier to share. If he does not, Chicago has to spread that load across Giddey, Buzelis, Smith and Okoro.

Can Cleveland protect the paint without Mobley?

Mobley won the 2025 Defensive Player of the Year award and gives Cleveland its most versatile frontcourt defender. Allen's 14 rebounds at New York show what the Cavaliers get from a healthy center, and the Bulls have been outrebounded 232-209 over their last five games.

Chicago outrebounded San Antonio 40-33 and still lost, so second chances alone will not close the gap. The Bulls need those extra possessions to come with clean looks at the rim.

Can Chicago protect the ball?

The Bulls committed 74 turnovers to their opponents' 58 over their last five games, or 14.8 per game against 11.6. Cleveland is level at 64 to 65 over the same stretch.

Against San Antonio, the turnovers came in a cluster at the start of the third quarter and erased a 22-point lead. A similar run against Cleveland would hand the Cavaliers transition chances without a halfcourt possession.

What could move Bulls at Cavaliers prediction?

Three pending decisions can change the outlook. Powell's back and Swain's disc irritation determine how much scoring and size Chicago has around Wilson's absence. Mobley's toe decides whether Cleveland has its top defender for the interior.

A Powell return would give the Bulls a 19.3-point scorer. A Mobley return would put Cleveland's full frontcourt back. Check what basketball markets are available today for other games on the schedule.

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