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Chicago Bulls Vs Houston Rockets: How To Watch, Betting Odds, Predictions


1 week ago 18
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Tonight, the 34-35 Chicago Bulls have a chance to improve to a .500 record for the first time in months in a Toyota Center matchup against the 33-35 Houston Rockets, who by record are pretty much their mirror image in the Western Conference. Both clubs are on winning streaks, though Houston's six-game run far outpaces Chicago's two-game tear. Chicago owns a fairly competent 16-18 road record, though Houston is an intimidating 23-11 at home.

For those curious, here's how you can tune in to this evening's action. Neither club is looking to win it all this season (or, in the Bulls' case, ever again, apparently), but both could be fun play-in clubs. Chicago is currently seemingly locked into the East's ninth seed, as it's 3.5 games clear of the 30-38 Atlanta Hawks and a whopping eight games ahead of the Brooklyn Nets. The Rockets are the 11th seed in the West, but trail the Golden State Warriors by just three games with plenty of time remaining in the season.

How To Watch

The game tips off at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET, in Houston. Houston fans can check out the festivities via the intriguingly-monikered Space City Home Network, while Bulls fans can watch via NBC Sports Chicago, with Stacey King and Adam Amin on the call. The Bulls are very banged-up, but they've managed to enjoy a clutch run of late anyway. It could be a good one.

Injuries

Per the NBA's latest injury report, Chicago will be without two-way players Henri Drell, Andrew Funk and Adama Sanogo, who are all with Chicago's NBAGL affiliate, the Windy City Bulls. Lonzo Ball (left knee surgery), Zach LaVine (right midfoot surgery), and Patrick Williams (left midfoot surgery) are all out for the year, of course. Rookie Julian Phillips is out indefinitely with a right foot sprain. Guards Coby White and Alex Caruso have been upgraded to available. For the Rockets, centers Steven Adams (right knee PCL surgery) and Alperen Sengun (right ankle sprain) are done for the year, as is forward Tari Eason. Cam Whitmore is on the shelf with a right knee sprain.

DeMar DeRozan Chicago Bulls
DeMar DeRozan #11 of the Chicago Bulls controls the ball against the Houston Rockets on January 10, 2024 at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading... Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

Betting Odds

The Rockets are mild -3.5 point favorites to win at home this evening, according to Vegas aggregator The Action Network. That said, if things are close, Chicago could pull out the W. As The Action Network notes, the Bulls' late-game defense is surprisingly adept. They have permitted a 48% true shooting percentage across late-game scenarios and close contests, which ranks as the fourth-best such metric in the league (in a tie).

Bulls guards White and Ayo Dosunmu have been on a tear of late, as has (probable) future Hall of Fame forward DeMar DeRozan. If they can stay cooking and nail their jumpers late -- and provided center Nikola Vucevic can secure some boards and limit his predilection to strive for more offensive touches than his recent play deserves -- Chicago can secure the upset. Bet against Houston covering.

Uncommon Knowledge

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

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