The Houston Rockets (9-23) battle the Chicago Bulls (14-18) at the United Center Monday. Tip from the Windy City is set for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Rockets vs. Bulls odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Rockets lost to the Dallas Mavericks Friday 112-106, but covered as 7-point home underdogs. That against-the-spread (ATS) cover pushed their season-long ATS record to 16-15-1. Houston is 4-5-1 ATS in its last 10 games. It’s been a rough season for Houston, ranking last in field goal percentage (44.3%).
The Bulls beat the New York Knicks 118-117 at Madison Square Garden Friday, covering as 5.5-point underdogs. That pushed their ATS record to 15-16-1 this season. Chicago, after failing to cover 3 in a row, has won and covered their last 3 as road underdogs in all 3.
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Rockets at Bulls odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Sunday at 9:48 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rockets +270 (bet $100 to win $270) | Bulls -330 (bet $330 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Rockets +8.5 (-118) | Bulls -8.5 (-102)
- Over/Under (O/U): 227.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
Rockets at Bulls key injuries
Bulls
- G Lonzo Ball (knee) out
- G Alex Caruso (acromioclavicular) out
Rockets
- G Eric Gordon (thumb) questionable
- G Jae’Sean Tate (tibia) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Rockets at Bulls picks and predictions
Prediction
Bulls 118, Rockets 113
Moneyline
PASS.
I think the Rockets keep it close and cover but would also pass on playing them to win outright at (+270). Houston is just 3-13 straight up on the road this season.
Against the spread
BET ROCKETS +8.5 (-118).
The Bulls have not been good at home this season, just 7-7 straight up and just 6-8 ATS. Despite having covered 3 straight, there still seems to be some chemistry issues between G Zach LaVine and F DeMar DeRozan. That could hurt their ability to pull away against Houston.
Chicago also doesn’t defend well and is even worse at defending the 3, ranking 22nd in opponents’ field goal percentage (47.9%) and 29th in opponents’ 3-point field goal percentage (38%).
The Bulls rank 21st in net rating with Houston 27th, so there isn’t a lot separating the 2 sides for how they’ve played this season. That said, given Chicago’s inability to defend and down their two best perimeter defenders, back the ROCKETS +8.5 (-118).
Over/Under
LEAN OVER 227.5 (-108).
The Rockets rank 17th in pace, and the Bulls rank 12th in pace. The tempo of this game, between LaVine, DeRozan and G Jalen Green, should be high.
The Bulls are 5-4-1 O/U in their last 10 games while Houston is 3-2 O/U over its last 5.
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