The Houston Rockets (4-7) are in the Windy City Martin Luther King Jr. Day for an 8 p.m. ET game against the Chicago Bulls (5-8) at United Center. Below, we analyze the Rockets-Bulls NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
The Rockets split a two-game set at the San Antonio Spurs (1-1 against the spread) coming into Monday’s game. Houston traded former MVP James Harden as part of a four-way deal in which it received SG Victor Oladipo from the Indiana Pacers amongst other compensation. Oladipo is expected to make his Rockets debut Monday.
The Bulls snapped a four-game losing streak (3-1 ATS) by upsetting another Southwest Division team—the Dallas Mavericks—Sunday. Chicago went into its meeting with Dallas as a 6.5-point underdog but wrecked the Mavericks by 16 points, 117-101, with aggressiveness and ball movement. The Bulls attempted 14 more free throws (33-19 advantage in free-throw attempts) and threw 14 more assists (32-18 in assists).
Houston crushed Chicago 117-94 in the only regular-season meeting last season and the Rockets have covered five of their past six games vs. the Bulls. Obviously, the recent head-to-head history between the two is less meaningful since Harden is no longer with Houston following a nine-year stint.
Rockets at Bulls: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 6 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Rockets +100 (bet $100 to win $100) | Bulls -120 (bet $120 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Rockets +1.5 (-110) | Bulls -1.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: Off the board as of this publishing
Rockets at Bulls: Key Injuries
Rockets
- G Sterling Brown (leg) questionable
- C DeMarcus Cousins (ankle) probable
- PG Dante Exum (calf) out
- SG Eric Gordon (leg) probable
- SF Danuel House (self-isolating) out
- PG John Wall (knee) out
Bulls
- PF Chandler Hutchison (COVID-19 health and safety protocols) out
- SG Luke Kornet (not with team) out
- PG Tomas Satoransky (COVID-19 health and safety protocols) out
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Rockets at Bulls: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Chicago 119, Rockets 110
Money line (ML)
The Bulls have a ton of talent and they are starting to play well under first-year head coach Billy Donovan. Chicago is exceeding bookmakers’ expectations this season (9-4 ATS) despite playing the seventh-toughest schedule.
Houston is starting a new chapter and neither newly acquired PGs Exum (part of the Harden trade) and Wall (part of the Russell Westbrook trade) are available to play. This Bulls team has lost single-possession games vs. both Los Angeles teams recently and looked really in sync in its last game.
I’ll go with Chicago’s momentum and run with the BULLS (-120) for 1.5 units.
Against the spread (ATS)
PASS ON THE SPREAD.
While it’s understandable to be concerned about betting a team playing the second of a back-to-back, let me put you at ease for this situation. Chicago had its game against the Boston Celtics last week postponed and the Bulls had PF Lauri Markkanen return against the Oklahoma City Thunder Friday. It’s hard to imagine the Bulls are suffering from much fatigue.
Over/Under (O/U)
If a line is posted, I lean OVER up to 226.5 for a half-unit because any team can score against this terrible Chicago defense and the offense has strung together five straight 117-plus-point performances.
Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Also see:
- Oladipo ‘blessed and fortunate’ to join Houston (Rockets Wire)
- Hoops Hype Rumors: Rockets | Bulls
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