We have seven NBA games on Boxing Day including this inter-conference tilt on Monday, December 26, and here you can read the best Rockets vs. Bulls betting pick and odds.

Chicago is searching for the fourth consecutive win when they welcome Houston at United Center. The Bulls are 8-point favorites on Bovada Sportsbook, while the total is set at 227.5 points. These inter-conference rivals have met twice last year, once in Houston and once in Chicago, and each time the home team secured a win.

Rockets lost to the Mavericks for the fifth straight defeat

The Houston Rockets (9-23, 16-15-1 ATS) opened their seven-game home stand with a couple of surprising wins over the Bucks and Suns, but then suffered five consecutive losses. The most recent came to the divisional foes Dallas Mavericks, who hit 16 three-pointers opposite Houston’s eight, which was the biggest difference in a 116-108 defeat. Houston will now open a three-game road trip with this game in Chicago.

Jabari Smith Jr. led the Rockets with a double-double of 24 points and game-high ten rebounds. Jalen Green was right behind with 23 points, eight boards, four assists, and two steals, Alperen Sengun posted a 19/8/7 line, while Kevin Porter Jr. had 14 points and four dishes.  

SG Eric Gordon (thumb) and F Jae’Sean Tate (ankle) are questionable to feature on Monday against Chicago.

Bulls are in the zone

The Chicago Bulls (14-18, 15-16-1 ATS) are still one of the biggest achievers in the NBA so far, but they managed to connect three victories for the first time this season. All three wins came on a four-game road trip as they beat the Heat, Hawks, and Knicks. The latest one over New York was a tight one as DeMar DeRozan made a jumper with less than a second remaining to give the Bulls a 118-117 win. Chicago was extremely cautious with the ball in possession and made just four turnovers opposite New York’s ten.

Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 33 points and four rebounds. DeRozan recorded a double-double of 25 points and game-high ten assists along with seven dimes, and two steals, while Nikola Vucevic posted a double-double of 21 points and game-high 12 boards.

PG Lonzo Ball (knee) is out indefinitely. SF Derrick Jones Jr. (ankle), SG Alex Caruso (concussion), and SG/SF Javonte Green (knee) are questionable to play on Monday against the Rockets.

Trends:

Houston:

  • 1-3-1 ATS in the last five games overall
  • 1-4 ATS in the last five road games
  • 2-6 ATS in the last eight games playing on two days of rest

Chicago:

  • 21-9 ATS in the last 30 home games vs. a team with a losing road record
  • 5-2 ATS in the last seven after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game

Houston Rockets vs. Chicago Bulls Pick

While the rivals are pretty close when it comes to defense as they are below average in that department in the NBA, the Bulls are better on offense. Chicago is averaging 113.3 points per game, while the Rockets have the third-worst offense in the league that is scoring 109.4 ppg. Also, the current form is entirely on the Bulls’ side and they need to get as many wins as possible from this four-game homestay on which they will meet Houston, Milwaukee, Detroit, and Cleveland, and are hoping for at least three wins, starting with this one on Monday.

Pick: Take the Bulls at -6.5 (-130)

The Total

Houston failed to score more than 110 points in each of the last five games, and it’s evident that the Bulls’ defense improved since they allowed 150 points in a loss to the Timberwolves, so I don’t think the visitors will have a good offensive display on Monday. Both teams are not in the top 20 in offensive rating. Under is 5-2 in the Rockets’ last seven road games; Under is 7-2-1 in the Bulls’ previous ten home games, while Under is 10-1 in Chicago’s last 11 Monday games.

Pick: Go Under 229.5 points (-130)