Free NBA Pick: Rockets vs. Bulls NBA Odds
Looking for Houston Rockets vs. Chicago Bulls free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Rockets taking on the Bulls on Monday, December 26th, 2022 at the United Center. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Rockets-Bulls matchup.
2022 NBA Handicapping
(9-23) Houston Rockets vs. Chicago Bulls (14-18)
Date: Monday, December 26th
Time: 8:00 PM EST
Venue: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
NBA Moneyline Odds: Rockets + | Bulls – (Bet Now!)
NBA Betting Odds: Bulls -8.5
NBA Betting Total: 227.5
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Monday, December 26th, the Houston Rockets, and Chicago Bulls will compete in the first of two scheduled meetings this season. Houston wil host the second meeting on March 11th.
Both teams last played on Friday with the Rockets losing 106-112 to the Mavericks while the Bulls won a nailbiter 118-117 versus the Knicks.
The Rockets hold the all-time record having bested the Bulls in 72 of their 143 matches. Last season the clubs played twice with the teams splitting the season series.
*Editor’s Note: Statistics and rankings are current as of this writing, and may vary slightly entering games on Monday, December 26th
Houston Rockets
Christmas Day served up news that James Harden may welcome a return to his old team and while we debate whether this is simply a negotiating ploy to get the max deal this offseason there are bigger issues at hand.
ESPN Sources: All-Star guard James Harden is seriously considering a return to the Houston Rockets in free agency this July — if he decides against a new deal with the Philadelphia 76ers: https://t.co/ZqJGIL1ZeP
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 25, 2022
For example, would Jalen Green even welcome a return of the former Rockets star or would he prefer to keep growing the team organically with the existing young roster?
Green leads the team as the only 20-point scorer averaging 21.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists. He’s shooting 40.9 percent from the field on 17. 6 attempts, 30.7 percent from the perimeter on 7.0 attempts, and 80.1 percent from the stripe on 6.0 attempts.
Offensively, the Rockets score 109.4 points per game ranking 28th overall. Houston shoots 44.3 percent from the field which is the worst in the league and 33.0 percent from the perimeter ranking 28th overall.
Defensively, the Rockets allow opponents to score 115.3 points per game which ranks 21st overall, while Houston’s foes shoot 47.4% and 36.5% from the perimeter ranking 20th and 22nd respectively.
Eric Gordon (thumb) and Jae’Sean Tate (ankle) are questionable for Monday.
Chicago Bulls
A disappointing early season by the Bulls just got more intense with leaks that Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan have different visions for the Bulls.
Couple that with rumors LaVine would welcome a trade to play for the Lakers all coinciding with a four-game losing streak including two overtime losses and things were looking bleak in Chicago.
That the Bulls have since strung together three consecutive wins versus teams all seeded ahead of them (Heat, Hawks, Knicks) is a testament to the players putting winning ahead of drama.
Chicago scores 113.3 points per game ranking 16th while they shoot 48.3% from the field and 36.8% from the perimeter ranking sixth and 11th respectively.
Defensively, they allow 114.5 points per game ranking 18th. Their opponents shoot 47.9% from the field and 38.0% from the perimeter ranking 22nd and 29th respectively.
Derrick Jones Jr. (ankle), Alex Caruso (concussion), and Javonte Green (knee) are questionable for Monday. Lonzo Ball (knee) remains out indefinitely.
NBA Betting Trends:
- The Rockets are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games.
- The Bulls are 2-9 ATS in their last 11 games against a Western opponent
- The Rockets are 8-3 SU in their last 11 games against Chicago.
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago’s last 6 games against Houston.
- The Rockets are 3-6 ATS in their last 9 games when playing in Chicago.
- The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Chicago’s last 10 games at home.
- The Rockets are 3-15 SU in their last 18 games on the road.
Free Houston Rockets vs. Chicago Bulls NBA Prediction:
Despite the turmoil, the Bulls want to ascend the East ladder. The issue of course is several teams ahead of them are also on (or just ended) long winning streaks. They sit outside the play-in tournament seeding (11th) with ample work to do to move up.
As for the Rockets everything this season is gravy — the young core is developing and growing. Coach, Steven Silas is no doubt hoping they’ll figure out the semantics of winning so they can look at moving up the ladder as soon as next season.
While the Bulls should take care of business and Houston has lost five in a row, they’ve been close against the more difficult competition (three to six point differential versus the Heat, Magic, and Mavs). Suffice to say – I’ll take the points.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Rockets +8.5
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