Rockets Bulls odds picks prediction spread over/under betting line

Houston Rockets at Chicago Bulls odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Monday’s Houston Rockets at Chicago Bulls odds and lines, with NBA expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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.

Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

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.

Want action on this NBA game or any other matchups? Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, SportsbookWire’s official sportsbook partner in OH, CO and NJ. Bet now!

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow @nathanbeighle_ on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1368]

Houston Rockets at Chicago Bulls odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Monday’s Houston Rockets at Chicago Bulls odds and lines, with NBA expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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)

PLAY: Free, daily sports pick’em contests. Play now!

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

Deposit $10 or more, get $100 in instant bet credits at Tipico Sportsbook! New customer offer in CO and NJ. 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. Place your legal, online sports bets at Tipico. Let’s make this interesting. Bet now!

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.

Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and, soon, IA. Bet now!

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Geoff Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]

Houston Rockets at Chicago Bulls odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Monday’s Houston Rockets at Chicago Bulls NBA betting odds and lines, with basketball picks, tips and predictions.

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

Special NBA Betting Promotion!

Place a $1 bet on either team’s money line, WIN an additional $100 (in free bets) if either team hits a 3-pointer during the game today. Promotion available in CO, IN, NJ, TN and WV. IA and PA residents, don’t miss BetMGM‘s risk-free, first-bet offer! MI residents, BetMGM is coming to your state soon — register early for special promotion.

Place your legal, online sports bets at BetMGM! Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

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

Follow Geoff Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1368]