The Chicago Bulls play host to the Houston Rockets at the United Center on Monday night. Here’s a Bulls vs. Rockets Prediction. This article will include a Bulls vs. Rockets Pick.
Houston Rockets Betting Preview
The Houston Rockets have been in decent shape as they’ve won four of their last seven games overall and they will be aiming for a third straight win after sneaking past the Heat in a 123-122 win on Saturday. Kevin Durant led the team with 27 points on nine of 17 shooting, Amen Thompson added 24 points with 18 rebounds and four assists, while Reed Sheppard chipped in with 23 points, 14 rebounds and four steals. As a team, the Rockets shot 52 percent from the field and 16 of 35 from the 3-point line as they looked to be in trouble after leaking 33 points in the third quarter to trail by 12 points, but the Rockets responded with 36 points in the fourth quarter, capped by Luke Kennard, who drained the game-winning 3-pointer with just 1.0 second left on the clock.
Chicago Bulls Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls haven’t been at their best, as they’ve lost five of their last seven games overall and they will be hoping to avoid a third straight defeat after getting beaten by the Cavaliers in a 115-110 loss on Thursday. Tre Jones led the team with 20 points, Rob Dillingham added 17 points off the bench, and Nick Richards chipped in with 16 points and eight rebounds. As a team, the Bulls shot 45 percent from the field and 15 of 44 from the 3-point line as they struggled to keep pace with the Cavaliers from the start and fell behind by as many as 29 points, which was a shame because they dominated the fourth quarter and cut the deficit to just one point with 3:33 left in the fourth quarter before they allowed the Cavaliers off the hook.
Why the Chicago Bulls will win
- The Bulls have won four of their last five games as home underdogs when playing with a rest advantage.
- The Rockets have lost eight of their last 11 games as road favorites following a win.
- The Bulls have covered the spread in each of their last six games following a loss.
- The Rockets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games following a win.
Why the Houston Rockets will win
- The Bulls have lost each of their last nine home games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Rockets have won each of their last eight road games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a losing record.
- The Bulls have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six games as home underdogs against Western Conference opponents.
- The road team has covered the spread in four of the Rockets’ last five games.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the last nine games between the Rockets and Bulls has gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Rockets’ last five games at the United Center has gone OVER the total points line.
Chicago Bulls Player Facts
- Josh Giddey is one of only two players in the league to have recorded 19+ assists in a game this season.
- Matas Buzelis is one of only three qualified players in the league averaging at least 1.5 threes and 1.5 blocks this season.
Houston Rockets Player Facts
- Amen Thompson ranks 1st amongst qualified Guards for rebounds per game (7.9) this season.
- Alperen Sengun ranks 4th in the league for points in the paint (842) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Bulls rank 29th in the league for opponent field goal attempts per game this season (93.3).
- The Bulls rank 29th in the league for Q3 opponent points per game this season (31.2).
- The Rockets rank 1st in the league for rebounds per game this season (48.0).
- The Rockets rank 1st in the league for opponent rebounds per game this season (39.5).
Bulls vs Rockets Prediction
The Rockets are still missing Fred VanVleet with Steven Adams, while the Bulls have ruled out Isaac Okoro, Guerschon Yabusele and Zach Collins with Jaden Ivey, Anfernee Simons and Jalen Smith all questionable. The Rockets enter this contest as the team in better form and they have already beaten the Bulls by 119-113 back on Jan 13, but the Bulls have been playing much better lately and an upset in this spot wouldn’t be a total shock. I still have the Rockets doing enough to get the win on the road, but I think the line is just high enough to warrant taking the Bulls to get the cover at home.