The Chicago Bulls (12-6) travel to Toyota Center Wednesday to take on the Houston Rockets (1-16). Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Bulls at Rockets odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
Led by Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan, the Bulls have been far better than many expected this season.
Chicago is one of the top teams in the East but has gone just 6-4 over the last 10. The Bulls have a 6-3 record both on the road and at home. That said, Chicago is 12-6 ATS and 7-11 O/U.
The Rockets have been the exact opposite of Chicago. Houston has disappointed to the fullest extend and will look to rebound at home, but hope really isn’t there.
They’re led by rookie G Jalen Green and C Christian Wood. After a 1-1 start, the Rockets have lost 15 straight and are now easily the worst team in the NBA.
Bulls at Rockets odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:10 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Bulls -520 (bet $520 to win $100) | Rockets +370 (bet $100 to win $370)
- Against the spread (ATS): Bulls -8.5 (-122) | Rockets +8.5 (-102)
- Over/Under (O/U): 216.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
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Bulls at Rockets key injuries
Bulls
- C Nikola Vucevic (conditioning) questionable
- G Alex Caruso (wrist) questionable
- F Patrick Williams (wrist) out
Rockets
- None.
Bulls at Rockets odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Bulls 108, Rockets 101
Money line
PASS on the money line.
While the Bulls should come out on top against a one-win team, they’re on the road and without their starting center and potentially a key defender off the bench.
Against the spread
BET on the ROCKETS +8.5 (-122) as Chicago’s injuries should start to take their toll. I would lean towards Vucevic not playing as there’s little reason for him to return for this game.
Also, if Caruso is even questionable, it should be seen as more of a doubtful. Houston just isn’t a game that Chicago should rush their players back for. LaVine and DeRozan should be able to coast them to victory.
However, the Rockets do have some scorers and have covered several times when given these larger spreads. Houston has the 19th-worst defensive rating which is actually good relative to where it stands in other areas.
With Chicago having recently dropped out of the top-12 in offensive rating, the Rockets may be able to tame a lethal Bulls attack, especially with the length of Green and aggression of Jae’Sean Tate.
Over/Under
“LEAN” to the UNDER 216.5 (-107) as the Bulls defense should be able to limit the NBA’s worst offense, Houston.
The Rockets don’t have much to brag about so far this season, and their offense has been horrendous. They’ve been held under 90 points three times and under 100 points in more than half their games.
As noted, Houston’s strength is their defense while the Bulls’ strength is also on that end of the floor. Despite the Rockets being at the top of the league in pace, they haven’t been able to convert that to scoring.
With that in mind, I’d lean the Under.
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