Bulls Face Tough Road Test Against Rockets in Houston
Bulls Face Tough Road Test Against Rockets in Houston
1. Game Overview
The Chicago Bulls travel to face the Houston Rockets in an inter-conference matchup on January 13, 2026. The game is scheduled to tip off at 8:10 PM EST at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. The contest will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.
2. Team Form and Analysis
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets enter this contest with a strong 22-14 record, showcasing their position as a competitive team in the Western Conference. Their most significant advantage has been their performance at home, where they have amassed an impressive 11-2 record. Offensively, the Rockets are a formidable unit, evidenced by their +7.2 average margin of victory, which suggests they are capable of winning games decisively.
The team’s offense is led by superstar forward Kevin Durant, whose scoring and playmaking abilities are a central component of their success. While they will be without some depth pieces, the core of their lineup remains potent, especially on their home floor. The Rockets have been consistent, but their 18-18 record against the spread indicates that they typically play right up to market expectations.
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls come into the game with a sub-.500 record of 18-20. Their performance has been inconsistent, particularly on the road, where they hold a 7-11 record. The team has struggled to close out games, as reflected in their -3.5 average margin of victory. This indicates they are not only losing more often than winning but are also being outscored by a notable margin on average.
The Bulls are navigating absences in their backcourt and frontcourt, which will test their depth. With key rotation players unavailable, others will need to step into larger roles to keep pace with a high-powered Houston offense. Chicago’s performance against the spread is an even 19-19, but their -2.3 ATS margin suggests they have a trend of falling short of the betting line.
3. Injury Report
Chicago Bulls: The Bulls are managing several key absences. Guards Coby White (Rest), and Josh Giddey (Hamstring) are out, as is center Zach Collins (Toe). Additionally, guard Yuki Kawamura (Lower Leg) and forward Julian Phillips (Wrist) are listed as game-time decisions.
Houston Rockets: Houston will be without forwards Tari Eason (Ankle) and Dorian Finney-Smith (Ankle). Point guard Fred VanVleet (Knee) remains out with a long-term issue.
4. ATS Trends
Both teams enter this game with identical 50.0% cover percentages for the season, indicating that oddsmakers have generally set accurate lines for their matchups.
- Chicago Bulls: The Bulls hold an ATS record of 19-19-0. However, their ATS margin is -2.3, meaning they fail to cover the spread by an average of 2.3 points per game.
- Houston Rockets: The Rockets have an ATS record of 18-18-0. Their ATS margin is -0.1, showing that their performance lands, on average, almost exactly on the spread number.
5. Betting Odds Breakdown
- Point Spread: The Houston Rockets are favored by 12.5 points (-12.5). This means for a bet on the Rockets to win, they must defeat the Bulls by 13 or more points. A bet on the Bulls (+12.5) wins if they either win the game outright or lose by 12 points or fewer.
- Total (Over/Under): The game total is set at 224.5 points. Bettors can wager on whether the combined final score of both teams will be over or under that number.
- Moneyline: While not explicitly listed, the moneyline would heavily favor the Houston Rockets, requiring a large wager for a modest return. Conversely, the Bulls would offer a significant payout for an outright upset victory.
6. Prediction
The Houston Rockets’ path to victory is clear: leverage their significant home-court advantage and the offensive firepower led by Kevin Durant. With an 11-2 record at the Toyota Center and an average margin of victory of +7.2, the Rockets have consistently demonstrated their ability to dominate opponents at home. Facing a Bulls team that is missing key guards and a starting center, Houston should be able to control the pace and create high-percentage scoring opportunities. If their offense performs to its capability, covering the large 12.5-point spread is well within reach.
For the Chicago Bulls, securing a victory or even covering the spread will be a difficult task. Their path requires a near-perfect defensive effort to slow down Durant and the rest of the Rockets’ offense. Offensively, they must play an efficient, low-turnover game and receive unexpectedly strong contributions from their role players to compensate for the absences of White and Giddey. Their 7-11 road record and -2.3 ATS margin highlight the challenges they face away from home.
Considering the Rockets’ dominance at home, the Bulls’ struggles on the road, and the impactful absences for Chicago, the evidence points toward a decisive Houston victory. While 12.5 points is a significant margin, Houston’s proven ability to win by large margins combined with Chicago’s personnel issues supports a Rockets win and cover.
Prediction: Houston Rockets 121, Chicago Bulls 104
Disclaimer: This article is for entertainment purposes only. All betting information is provided for informational purposes and is not a recommendation to wager.
Sources:
Chicago Bulls vs. Houston Rockets Head-to-Head in the NBA …
Houston Rockets vs Chicago Bulls Basketball Head To Head, Score …
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Chicago Bulls vs Houston Rockets History – NBA
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