The Chicago Bulls (5-18) look to put an end to their five-game losing streak when they challenge the Houston Rockets (10-11) at Toyota Center. The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 1, 2018, and will air on NBC Sports Chicago.
Chicago Bulls at Houston Rockets Betting Prediction
In the Bulls’ last contest, they were dismantled by the Detroit Pistons, 107-88, and failed to cover as 15-point underdogs. The game’s combined points (195) finished well under the O/U total of 230. Detroit out-rebounded Chicago. The Pistons had 13 offensive rebounds and 52 total rebounds, while the Bulls had seven and 40, respectively. Wendell Carter Jr. was the top scorer from either team with 28 points on 11-for-18 shooting.
The Rockets won big over the San Antonio Spurs in their last game, 136-105, despite being 5.5-point underdogs. The combined points for the game (241) were well over the projected point total of 217.5. The Rockets had an extraordinarily low turnover percentage of 4.5 (better than their season average of 12.7) and held the Spurs to an offensive rebounding percentage of 20.0 (below the 25.5 mark opponents have averaged against Houston this season). Clint Capela was the game’s leading scorer with 27 points on 12-for-16 shooting from the field.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. Carter Jr. had 14 points and 13 rebounds in the first game, in which the Bulls lost 96-88 but covered as 8.5-point underdogs. The game finished with a total of 184 points, which was 39 points below the projected point total of 223 points. The Rockets had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (23.3 vs. 10.3) and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.500 vs. 0.437).
Chicago comes into the game with records of 5-18 straight up (SU) and 11-11 against the spread (ATS). Bulls games tend to finish under the total (68.2 percent).
Meanwhile, Houston is 10-11 SU and 7-13 ATS. Unlike Chicago, games featuring the Rockets have a tendency to go over the total (60.0 percent).
Both teams have had a player take their game to the next level over their last five games. Jabari Parker (22 points,9.6 rebounds,4.0 assists,1.2 steals) has been fantastic for the Bulls while James Harden (39 points,12.0 assists,6.4 rebounds,2.8 steals) has made great contributions to the Rockets.
Houston appears to have the advantage on the offensive side of the ball. The Rockets currently rank fifth in offensive efficiency, while Chicago ranks 20th in defensive efficiency.
Chicago Bulls at Houston Rockets Betting Pick
NBA Tip: SU Winner – Rockets, ATS Winner – Rockets, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Chicago is 4-6 ATS on the road with 6 unders and 4 overs.
Houston is 3-6 ATS at home with 6 overs and 3 unders.
When holding opponents under 100 points, Chicago is 2-1 and Houston is 4-2.
When scoring above 100 points, the Rockets are 8-7 and the Bulls are 3-10.
Houston averages 42.5 three pointers per game, which ranks first in the league. Chicago ranks 26th in three pointers allowed per game (34.4).
The Rockets rank fourth in blocks allowed per game (4.5) while the Bulls rank 27th (6.7).
Houston ranks seventh in rebounds allowed per game (42.9) while Chicago ranks last (49.5).
The Rockets rank fourth in assists allowed per game (21.7) while the Bulls rank 22nd (24.9).
Houston averages 8.2 steals per game, which ranks 10th in the league. Chicago ranks 21st in steals allowed per game (8.2).
The Rockets rank 3 in fast break points allowed per game (10.523809523809524) while the Bulls rank 14 (13.347826086956522).
Houston ranks 18 in second chance points per game (12.952380952380953) while Chicago ranks 27 (9.695652173913043).
The Rockets rank 18 in points off turnovers per game (16.857142857142858) while the Bulls rank 25 (15.26086956521739).
Bettings Trends:
In its last five outings, Chicago is 3-2 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Houston is 0-5 ATS with 5 overs over its last five games.
The Bulls’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 9.0, down from 9.3 for the season.
During their last five games, the Rockets have scored an average of 118.8 points per game (9.3 above their season average) and allowed an average of 120.2 points per game (10.2 above their season average).
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