The Houston Rockets (10-20) visit the Windy City Monday to play the Chicago Bulls (18-10) at United Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Rockets vs. Bulls odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
Houston broke out of a two-game slump by beating the Pistons in Detroit 116-107 as a 1-point road favorite Saturday.
The Rockets are 3-4 straight-up (SU), 5-2 ATS and 5-2 O/U over the past two weeks with the 22nd-ranked non-garbage time net rating (minus-4.3 points per 100 possessions), according to CleaningTheGlass.com (CTG).
Chicago got past the Los Angeles Lakers 115-110 as a 7-point home favorite Sunday after having two games postponed last week.
The Bulls are 2-2 SU, 1-3 ATS and 2-2 O/U over the last 14 days with the 26th-ranked non-garbage time net rating (minus-7.2 points per 100 possessions), per CTG.
Houston upset Chicago 118-113 as a 9.5-point home underdog in their first meeting this season (Nov. 24) with the Over cashing on the 217.5-point total. Bulls’ second-leading scorer G Zach LaVine put up a game-high 28 points but will be sidelined for this matchup after landing on the NBA’s COVID list.
Rockets at Bulls odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:09 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Rockets +250 (bet $100 to win $250) | Bulls -320 (bet $320 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Rockets +7.5 (-122) | Bulls -7.5 (-102)
- Over/Under (O/U): 222.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
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Rockets at Bulls key injuries
Rockets
- PG Armoni Brooks (ankle) questionable
- SG Jalen Green (hamstring) out
- PG Kevin Porter (thigh) out
Bulls
- SG Zach LaVine (health and safety protocols) out
- PF Derrick Jones (hamstring) doubtful
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Rockets at Bulls odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Rockets 115, Bulls 111
Money line
Slight “LEAN” to the ROCKETS (+250) for a tiny wager — if at all — because we are seeing some reverse line movement with the money line market and the Bulls, already undermanned, are coming off a tough home win over the Lakers Sunday.
Roughly 80% of the action is on Chicago’s money line but that number has been lowered from the -320 opener to the current price according to Pregame.com. It’s a red flag whenever you see sportsbooks make the more popular side cheaper.
Furthermore, the Rockets beat the Bulls when they had LaVine in the lineup. Not only is LaVine sidelined for this game but Chicago will be without two of his backups as well.
If it’s “either/or” then take Houston plus the points instead but I’ll “SPRINKLE” on the ROCKETS (+250) for a lite wager also.
Against the spread
Definitely BET the ROCKETS +7.5 (-122) heavier than or instead of their money line because Houston is 3-0 ATS with a plus-7.5 spread differential when playing with a rest advantage.
We are also seeing a Pros vs. Joe’s scenario in the betting market since nearly 90% of the cash wagered is on the Rockets but close to 60% of the bets placed are on the Bulls. Typically, in sports betting, it’s wise to follow the money especially when it’s flowing in the opposite direction as the public.
On top of that, Chicago is dealing with a myriad of COVID-related absences whereas Houston’s rotation has been in flux since preseason so the Rockets are accustomed to playing shorthanded as is.
Again, the ROCKETS +7.5 (-122) is my favorite wager in this contest.
Over/Under
Slight “LEAN” to the OVER 222.5 (-112) because Houston has the eighth-best non-garbage time offensive rating over the past two weeks and Chicago has allowed at least 110 points in each of its past three games. Plus the Rockets have gone Over the total five of their last six games.
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