The Houston Rockets (43-27) and Chicago Bulls (28-42) will meet in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. ET from the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The game will broadcast live on SCHN.
The Rockets are 8.5-point favorites over the Bulls on the spread (Rockets -8.5), with the over/under set at 229.5 total points. Houston is a -360 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Chicago is +290 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Rockets vs. Bulls predictions and NBA picks for Monday, March 23.
Rockets vs Bulls Prediction, Pick
- Rockets vs Bulls picks: Bulls +8.5 (-108), Reed Sheppard Over 20.5 Points & Assists (-110)
My Bulls vs. Rockets best bets are on Chicago to cover the spread and Reed Sheppard to combine for over 20.5 points & assists. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Rockets vs Bulls Odds
| Rockets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-8.5 -108 | 229.5 -112o / -108u | -360 |
| Bulls Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+8.5 -112 | 229.5 -112o / -108u | +290 |
Rockets vs Bulls NBA Preview
The Rockets are coming off a thriller in South Beach. The Bulls are just kind of here.
Can Houston start to build some good vibes for the first time this season?
Jaden Ivey, Isaac Okoro, Anfernee Simons, Jalen Smith, and Guerschon Yabusele are all questionable for the Bulls tonight.
This is a tremendous rest spot advantage for the Bulls.
The Rockets are coming off a thrilling win in Miami where they likely stayed overnight, now playing their 3rd game in the last four nights against a Bulls team that has been off for several days.
- Home underdogs on 3+ days of rest are 50-32-3 ATS (60%) since 2018.
- Billy Donovan is 26-19 ATS with a rest advantage since 2021.
- Teams are 14-22 ATS after playing in Miami this season, and 5-8 ATS after winning in Miami.
- Chicago has covered the spread in seven of its last 10 games.
Houston just doesn’t have as strong of a blowout factor as you would expect.
The Rockets only have 20 double-digit wins this season, which is currently the fewest of any Western Conference playoff team.
Rockets vs Bulls Predictions, Betting Analysis
Bulls +8.5
I make the spread for this game Bulls +3.8 given the rest and travel spot, even with all the injuries.
So, I’ll back the trends with the Bulls here. God, help me.
Reed Sheppard Over 20.5 Points & Assists
I don’t show much value on the total, but I do like Reed Sheppard to go over his points & assists line.
Sheppard has been moved into the Rockets' starting lineup, and it’s honestly not just about those minutes; it also bodes well for how the rotation is staggered and should give him more opportunities to be a playmaker with the ball in his hands.
I lean slightly toward the Over regarding the total — but mainly because I think Sheppard has a monster game.
Rockets vs Bulls Best Bets
- Bulls +8.5 (-108)
- Reed Sheppard Over 20.5 Points & Assists (-110)
