The 28-42 Bulls will host the 43-27 Rockets tonight at 8 PM EST. The Bulls have listed Anfernee Simons, Jalen Smith, and Jaden Ivey as Questionable. The Rockets will be fully healthy.
The Rockets are 8.5-point favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook with the total for this game set at 229.5 points.
Bulls vs. Rockets Warriors prediction, preview
Houston’s recent stretch has been a pretty clean snapshot of what they’re trying to become down the stretch, which is a team that can win games with pressure and decision-making. In their last 10, the Rockets are at 114.1 OFFRTG with a subpar 117.6 DEFRTG, which is why the wins have tended to look sloppy and undisciplined at the end. The good news is the last five have been sturdier with 117.4 OFFRTG and 115.5 DEFRTG at a slower 94.56 pace, which fits the idea that they’re tightening possessions and leaning into half court execution. The Reed Sheppard experiment has been heating up: he started again in the Miami win and gave them a monstrous 23 points alongside 14 assists with no turnovers. Amen Thompson basically won the possession battle by himself with an enormous 24 point, 18 rebound double double with a tip-in game-winner. When Sheppard plays that way, Durant has more freedom to pick his spots more carefully, which matters because Houston’s ugly losses have often come when teams blitz Durant and force him into making uncomfortable decisions.
Chicago’s season has been volatile, but the trends right now are interesting because the offense has had some signs of life while the defense keeps leaking. In the last 10, the Bulls are at 112.0 OFFRTG and 114.5 DEFRTG. Over the last five, they’ve played much faster with 102.9 pace. Unfortunately, the defense has absolutely cratered with 120.9 DEFRTG, which is precisely how Chicago ends up in games that feel winnable and still slip away late. Their recent Cavs game illustrates this: they fell behind big, then nearly stole it with a late run fueled by Josh Giddey’s career-high 19 assists, but couldn’t close the gap. The Bulls’ front court depth is thin with Zach Collins out. This matters against Houston because if Chicago’s frontcourt depth is thin, it’s harder to survive the physical play of Thompson and Sengun, much less control the glass and therefore the possessions.
Bulls vs. Rockets Warriors pick, best bet
Best Bet: HOU Rockets Moneyline -355
The Rockets are just 5-5 in their last ten games but have looked sharper as of late, sitting in a three way tie for the fourth seed in the West. Every game counts now, and Houston will be looking to repeat their 119-113 win against the Bulls from January 13th. Houston will make this a physical game while abusing Chicago’s lack of interior size, and it’s tough to see Chicago coming out ahead in this one.
