Houston Rockets vs Chicago Bulls Predictions, Odds, Picks

• The Houston Rockets continue their five-game Eastern Conference road trip.
• The Chicago Bulls are coming off of a tremendous win against the Los Angeles Lakers.
• The Bulls will be looking for revenge after their early-season loss to the Rockets.

Houston Rockets vs Chicago Bulls Odds

Odds provided by Caesars Sportsbook.

Houston Rockets vs Chicago Bulls Predictions and Picks

On the second night of a back-to-back, with eight players unavailable, you’d expect the odds to be against the Bulls. But they are coming off of a tremendous win and they’ve still got an excellent duo in DeRozan and Vucevic.

Pick:

Chicago Bulls def. Houston Rockets

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Injury Report

How Can the Rockets Beat the Bulls?

When the Houston Rockets face the Chicago Bulls, they’ll be taking on a team on the second leg of a back-to-back. Despite their opponents missing seven players, the Rockets can’t relax in this matchup.

If there is anything that the Rockets can carry over from their most recent game, a win over the Detroit Pistons, it is their three-point defence. Houston held their opponents to 10 of 26 shooting from deep, but still allowed Detroit to convert on 57.8% of their shots inside the arc.

The Bulls aren’t the most high volume three-point shooting team, but they are still efficient shooting from range. If the Rockets can find a balance between their perimeter and paint defense, they’ll have a great chance against the Bulls.

Rockets Key Player: (F-C) Christian Wood

That’s one way to get an assist ?

Christian Wood battles for the @HoustonRockets putback after the KJ Martin board!

Watch fourth quarter action on NBA League Pass: https://t.co/V0kkYEn6W6 pic.twitter.com/czbM0nXxZt

— NBA (@NBA) December 18, 2021

The Rockets aren’t what you’d consider one of the stronger teams in the NBA. However as always, Christian Wood stands at the forefront of Houston’s success.

Wood is coming off of a win against the Detroit Pistons, where he posted 21 points and 8 rebounds in 30 minutes of play. While his efficiency could be better, his 2 three-point field goals were more than welcome.

Even injured, it is unlikely the Bulls have a disadvantage in the scoring department. Wood will need to be at his best to help his team compete against Chicago.

How Can the Bulls Beat the Rockets?

Through no fault of their own, the Chicago Bulls are missing a number of players for this matchup. While they were able to get fantastic production out of their remaining stars, they’ll need a team effort to take down a relatively healthy Rockets team.

The Bulls scored 115 points in their most recent game, a win over the Lakers, but only 13 of those points game from their bench unit.

Chicago were simply outpaced in their loss to the Rockets earlier in the season. So if they want to even up their season series against the Rockets, the Bulls must find production in lesser-used players.

Bulls Key Player: (G-F) DeMar DeRozan

KING OF THE FOURTH.@NBCSChicago | @DeMar_DeRozan pic.twitter.com/fDAibiz1Pi

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 20, 2021

With the Chicago Bulls struggling due to their lack of available players, it is DeMar DeRozan who has led them in the meantime. Unsurprisingly, he has been brilliant.

DeRozan is coming off of a 38-point, 6 assist, 4 rebound game against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Bulls star also converted on what would be the go-ahead basket that sealed the game for the Bulls.

What DeRozan lacks on the defensive side of the ball, is more than made up for by his versatility as a scorer and playmaker. With so many players unavailable, DeRozan will be relied upon for his scoring once again.

How to Watch Houston Rockets vs Chicago Bulls