Bulls vs. Rockets Pick
Can the Chicago Bulls find a way to slow down James Harden and the Houston Rockets when they meet up tonight at 8PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Rockets are favored at home, as they are getting odds of -6.5 points against the Bulls. The over/under total for the game is listed at 223.5 points. Chicago has won and covered the spread in four of its last five meetings with Houston. This will be the first meeting this season.
Houston has been struggling somewhat, losing four of their last six while going 1-5 against the spread. Houston is now 36-17 overall and 30-23 against the spread. The Rockets’ offense has been difficult to contain, as they average 114 points per game overall and 114.6 at home. Defensively, the Rockets allow 108.1 per game and only 104.8 at home. James Harden is having an MVP-type season thus far, averaging 28.7 points, 8.2 rebounds and 11.4 assists per game. Eric Gordon is adding 17.2 points per game.
Chicago has won two straight coming into today, including a 128-100 win at Oklahoma City on Wednesday. The Bulls have covered in both wins to get to 25-25 overall and 24-26 against the spread. For the season, the Bulls average 102.1 points per game on offense while allowing 101.6 on defense. Their offense has been really hot lately, averaging 110.2 points per game over their last five games. Jimmy Butler is averaging 24.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game to lead the team while Dwyane Wade is adding 18.9 points per contest.
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The Rockets are an offense that are tough to contain, but the Bulls seem to have found their offensive touch lately. They put up 121 points on the 76ers and 128 on the Thunder, two other teams that don’t have much to offer on defense. While Houston could win, I think the Bulls are ready to try and compete in a track meet. I am going to take a chance on Chicago with the points.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: CHICAGO BULLS +6.5