After having two straight home games postponed due to the effects of a winter storm in Houston, the Rockets will finally return to action on Monday at Toyota Center against the visiting Chicago Bulls.
While Houston (11-17) enters with seven straight losses, the Rockets are healthier than when we last saw them in Wednesday’s closer-than-expected loss at Philadelphia. Defensive ace PJ Tucker (left thigh contusion) should return after missing two games, while two-way guard Victor Oladipo (right foot strain) could play, as well. However, Oladipo is officially listed as doubtful, since he sat out part of Sunday’s practice.
As for Chicago’s injury report, the Bulls (13-16) are expected to be without Lauri Markkanen (shoulder sprain), Otto Porter Jr. (back spasms), and Chandler Hutchison (leg contusion) for Monday’s game.
The Bulls enter with momentum, having won three of their last four games. In Saturday’s 122-114 home victory (box score) over Sacramento, Zach LaVine led the way with 38 points on 15-of-20 shooting (75.0%).
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The lines, courtesy of BetMGM
- Point spread: Rockets -1.5 (+120), Bulls -1.5 (-100)
- Moneyline: Rockets -110/Bulls -110
- Over-under: 226.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
- Player O/U Scoring Props: John Wall 24.5 (-115 O, -110 U), Eric Gordon 20.5 (-115 O, -110 U), Jae’Sean Tate 11.5 (-110 O, -115 U); Zach LaVine 30.5 (-110 O, -110 U), Coby White 16.5 (-105 O, -120 U), Wendell Carter Jr. 12.5 (+100 O, -130 U), Patrick Williams 11.5 (-115 O, -110 U), Garrett Temple 10.5 (-120 O, -105 U)
Place your legal, online sports bets in CO, IN, MI, NV, NJ, PA, TN, and WV at BetMGM.
Monday’s starters for the Bulls are expected to be Coby White, Zach LaVine, Garrett Temple, Patrick Williams, and Wendell Carter Jr. Meanwhile, Stephen Silas appears likely to counter with John Wall, Eric Gordon, Jae’Sean Tate, PJ Tucker, and DeMarcus Cousins for the Rockets. If Oladipo plays, he would likely bump Gordon to a sixth-man role.
Advice and prediction
Houston is in a bit of an odd situation with Cousins, who is expected to be traded or released in the coming days. Yet, with the Rockets short on frontcourt bodies in the wake of Christian Wood’s ankle injury and desperately in need of a win to stop their slide, it appears that Cousins will be in Monday’s starting lineup — even with both the team and player knowing that the relationship is likely to end soon. Silas said that Cousins did not finish Sunday’s practice due to foot pain, and he’s listed as questionable with right heel soreness, but he’s expected to play.
Behind Cousins, newly signed center Justin Patton is expected to make his debut on Monday. Given the inevitable parting between the Rockets and Cousins that is expected to occur in the coming days, Patton could have an opportunity to earn more playing time later in the week.
For the Rockets, their best opportunity to beat the Bulls likely involves Oladipo finding a way to play, since he’s an accomplished perimeter defender to throw at the red-hot LaVine. If he’s unavailable — and the “doubtful” listing suggests that he’s not likely to play — LaVine could be primed for another big night, especially against a Houston team with unproven rim protection in the absence of Wood.
Prediction: 114-110, Bulls
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