The Chicago Bulls (5-18) visit Toyota Center to go head-to-head with the Houston Rockets (10-11). The Bulls look to put an end to their five-game losing streak. Action gets underway at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 1, 2018, and can be seen on NBC Sports Chicago.
Chicago Bulls vs. Houston Rockets ATS Odds
The Rockets will look to keep it rolling after blowing out the San Antonio Spurs in their last game, 136-105, as 5.5-point underdogs. The Bulls, on the other hand, were blown out by the Detroit Pistons, 107-88, and were not able to cover as 15-point underdogs. The Houston game went 23.5 points over the projected point total of 217.5, while the Chicago game finished 35 points under the projected point total of 230.
Houston played a nearly perfect game. They had a fantastically low turnover percentage of 4.5 (better than their season average of 12.7) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 28.9 (above their season average of 25.3). For those same stats, San Antonio put up marks of 12.1 and 20.0, respectively. Chicago, meanwhile, did an excellent job of making free throws (11-14; 78.6 percent). Houston received a boost from Clint Capela, who had 27 points and 12 rebounds. Wendell Carter Jr. played a pivotal role for Chicago with 28 points and seven rebounds.
In their first matchup this year, Harden led the Rockets to a 96-88 victory. He was the game’s top overall scorer with 25 points. Houston was unable to cover as an 8.5-point favorite and the two teams combined for 184 points, which was well under the projected point total of 223. Houston won the rebounding battle. The Rockets had more offensive rebounds (10 vs. four), defensive rebounds (35 vs. 33) and total rebounds (45 vs. 37).
Vegas has a tendency to place the total high when the Bulls are playing, as 15 of their 22 games have ended under the O/U total. Chicago heads into the game with records of 5-18 straight up (SU) and 11-11 against the spread (ATS).
Unlike Chicago, games featuring the Rockets tend to finish over the projected point total (60.0 percent). Additionally, Houston is 10-11 SU and 7-13 ATS.
The Bulls’ Jabari Parker has been playing well over his last five games, averaging 22 points,9.6 rebounds,4.0 assists,1.2 steals per game. Meanwhile, James Harden has averaged 39 points,12.0 assists,6.4 rebounds,2.8 steals during that same time frame for the Rockets.
Houston should have the edge on the offensive side of the ball. The Rockets currently rank fifth in offensive efficiency, while Chicago ranks 20th in defensive efficiency.
Chicago Bulls vs. Houston Rockets Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Rockets, ATS Winner – Rockets, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Rockets rank 18 in points off turnovers per game (16.857142857142858) while the Bulls rank 25 (15.26086956521739).
- Houston ranks first in three pointers attempted per game (42.5) while Chicago ranks 26th in three pointers allowed per game (34.4).
- The Rockets rank fourth in assists allowed per game (21.7) while the Bulls rank 22nd (24.9).
- Houston ranks 10th in steals per game (8.2) while Chicago ranks 21st in steals allowed per game (8.2).
- Houston ranks 18 in second chance points per game (12.952380952380953) while Chicago ranks 27 (9.695652173913043).
- The Rockets rank fourth in blocks allowed per game (4.5) while the Bulls rank 27th (6.7).
- The Rockets rank 3 in fast break points allowed per game (10.523809523809524) while the Bulls rank 14 (13.347826086956522).
- Houston ranks seventh in rebounds allowed per game (42.9) while Chicago ranks last (49.5).
- In games where they hold opponents under 100 points, Chicago is 2-1 and Houston is 4-2.
- In games where they score above 100 points, the Rockets are 8-7 and the Bulls are 3-10.
- Houston is 3-6 ATS at home, while Chicago is 4-6 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone under in 6 of the Bulls’ 10 road games, while 6 of the Rockets’ 9 home games have gone over.
Bettings Trends:
- The Bulls are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Rockets are 0-5.
- In their last five games, Chicago has 4 unders and 1 over, while Houston has 5 overs.
- During their last five games, the Bulls have scored an average of 100.0 points per game (3.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 109.0 points per game (3.6 below their season average).
- The Rockets’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 1.4, up from 0.5 for the season.
