The Houston Rockets are on game two of a five-game road trip with Monday’s matchup in Chicago, and if you’re looking to do some last-minute betting research, you’re in luck! We’ve got the latest point spread, money line odds and over/under number, as well as the information you’ll need to make the smartest bet at Tipico Sportsbook.
The game tips off at 7:00 p.m. CST and can be viewed or streamed via AT&T SportsNet Southwest and NBA League Pass.
When the Rockets (10-20) last faced the Bulls on Nov. 24, they entered with the league’s worst record at 1-16, and with head coach Stephen Silas reportedly facing questions about his job security. They defied the odds to win that night in Houston, and led by a resurgent group with Christian Wood now playing at center, they are 9-4 since. Nearly a month later, can Houston somehow beat the favored Bulls again, and this time, in Chicago?
The Bulls (18-10), who are currently at No. 2 in the Eastern Conference standings, won’t quite be themselves on Monday — having had two games postponed last week due to a COVID-19 outbreak within the roster. But many of their sidelined players are coming back, as evidenced by their home victory on Sunday night versus the Los Angeles Lakers.
Zach LaVine will be out until after Christmas, per Billy Donovan, along with Ayo Dosunmu and Alize Johnson
— Jamal Collier (@JamalCollier) December 16, 2021
Rockets at Bulls notable injuries:
The Rockets remain without injured guards Jalen Green (left hamstring strain) and Kevin Porter Jr. (left thigh contusion), with each listed as out. However, both hope to return within the next week. Armoni Brooks (left ankle soreness) is questionable after missing Saturday’s game.
The Bulls won’t release their injury/status report until midday Monday, since it is part two of a back-to-back for them.
On Sunday, Chicago’s report listed Zach LaVine, Ayo Dosunmu, Troy Brown Jr., Alize Johnson, and Matt Thomas as out due to health and safety protocols, while Patrick Williams remains sidelined by a left wrist ligament tear. The potential return of any of those “protocols” absences will depend on negative COVID-19 testing results — though Chicago head coach Billy Donovan previously said that LaVine, Dosunmu, and Johnson aren’t expected to return until after Christmas.
The lines, courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook
- Point spread: Bulls -7.5
- Money line: Rockets +260 / Bulls -340
- Over-under: 224.5
Click here to place your bets at Tipico Sportsbook.
Advice and prediction
This is a hard game to project, since the absence of LaVine means that Chicago won’t have their best player. Even so, DeRozan should be the most accomplished player on either side, and the normal back-to-back considerations shouldn’t be as relevant here — since Chicago is at home for both games, and they had over a week off going in.
It’s hard to envision the No. 2 seed in the East standings going 0-2 versus Houston. Yet, with as well as the Rockets have played over the past 13 games, 7.5 feels like a big number for Chicago to cover without LaVine. We’ll take Houston with the points on Monday night.
Prediction: Bulls 115, Rockets 109
This post originally appeared on Rockets Wire. Follow us on Facebook!
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