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Chicago Bulls vs Houston Rockets Picks and Predictions – January 13, 2026
The Chicago Bulls head to Toyota Center on Tuesday night to face the red-hot Houston Rockets, with tipoff set for 8:00 PM ET. This matchup features two teams on opposite ends of the competitive spectrum — the Rockets (23–15) are pushing toward a top-6 seed in the West, while the Bulls (13–27) continue to unravel in a lost season.
Houston enters as massive -12.5 favorites, with the moneyline set at -628. Chicago is priced at +457 to pull off the upset, and the total sits at 224.5. That line reflects not only the teams’ differing trajectories but also the Rockets’ impressive dominance at home, where they’ve been one of the best ATS teams in the NBA.
Let’s break down both sides and identify where the best betting value lies.
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Chicago Bulls vs Houston Rockets Odds
Below are the current lines for Tuesday’s game. For updated movement and market shifts, be sure to visit the latest NBA odds before tipoff.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Bulls | +457 | +12.5 (-112) | O 224.5 (-110) |
| Houston Rockets | -628 | -12.5 (-109) | U 224.5 (-110) |
Chicago Bulls Betting Form
The Bulls come into this matchup struggling to establish any real identity. Sitting at 13–27 overall, Chicago has dropped five of its last six games and looks overmatched against just about every team with playoff aspirations. They’re 3–12 SU on the road and just 2–8 ATS in their last 10 away from home.
Offensively, this team lacks balance. DeMar DeRozan continues to operate in isolation-heavy mid-range sets, but the lack of reliable three-point threats makes their spacing predictable. Coby White has shown growth, but without Zach LaVine (who’s missed significant time), the backcourt doesn’t create much off the dribble.
The Bulls rank 26th in offensive rating and don’t draw fouls or generate enough threes to keep pace with more modern, efficient attacks. Their pace is slower than league average, and they’ve been held under 110 points in four of their last five games.
Defensively, it’s just as grim. Chicago is bottom-10 in both defensive rating and opponent effective FG%. They struggle with pick-and-roll containment, help rotations, and closing out on shooters. That’s a bad mix against a Houston team that moves the ball well and gets quality looks.
The Chicago Bulls injury report should be monitored closely before this game, especially with LaVine and Patrick Williams both listed as questionable in recent games. You can also explore deeper trends and performance splits via the Chicago Bulls team page.
Houston Rockets Betting Form
The Rockets have been one of the league’s most pleasant surprises. At 23–15, they’ve established a defensive identity under Ime Udoka, while finding efficient, team-first offense through Alperen Şengün’s post passing and Fred VanVleet’s floor leadership.
Houston enters this game 15–4 SU at home and 13–6 ATS at Toyota Center. They’ve covered double-digit spreads against sub-.500 teams multiple times this season and have shown the maturity to close out games comfortably — thanks in large part to a bench that plays with purpose.
Offensively, they don’t blow teams away with pace or shooting, but they don’t need to. Şengün is one of the best facilitators at the 5-spot, opening up clean looks for Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., and Dillon Brooks. VanVleet keeps turnovers low and manages late-game tempo well.
Defensively, Houston is elite. They rank 3rd in defensive efficiency and 2nd in opponent points per game at home. They rebound well, rotate quickly, and limit transition chances. Their physical perimeter defense should give Chicago’s isolation scorers major issues.
Before betting, check the Houston Rockets injury report for updates on role players. And use the Houston Rockets stats and schedule to see how they’ve performed in similar spots this year.
Golden State Warriors
vs
Portland Trail Blazers
Open
vs
Jan 13, 2026 23:10 EST
–
Score
–
-10.50 -110
Spread
+10.50 -110
o+225.50-110
Total
u+225.50-110
-400
Moneyline
+310
Los Angeles Lakers
vs
Atlanta Hawks
Open
vs
Jan 13, 2026 22:40 EST
–
Score
–
+2.00 -110
Spread
-2.00 -110
o+234.50-115
Total
u+234.50-105
+112
Moneyline
-132
Oklahoma City Thunder
vs
San Antonio Spurs
Open
vs
Jan 13, 2026 20:10 EST
–
Score
–
-6.50 -110
Spread
+6.50 -110
o+228.00-110
Total
u+228.00-110
-278
Moneyline
+220
Bulls vs Rockets Matchup Breakdown
This is a lopsided matchup on paper, and the situational factors only magnify the gap.
Pace + Possessions:
Houston plays slow and deliberate, but that suits them here. Chicago won’t push the tempo, and without efficient scoring, the Bulls will struggle to string together runs. Expect a grind-it-out game favoring the Rockets’ halfcourt style.
Shot Quality + Spacing:
Houston gets better looks — both from three and at the rim. Şengün’s presence inside draws help, and the Rockets have been excellent at kicking out to shooters. Chicago’s spacing is poor, and that limits driving lanes, especially against a disciplined defensive team.
Turnovers + Transition:
Chicago ranks 22nd in turnover rate. Houston doesn’t gamble much but capitalizes off mistakes. Expect the Rockets to turn steals into easy buckets — particularly if DeRozan is forced into double teams or traps.
Bench Depth:
This is where the Rockets shine. Their second unit consistently holds or extends leads, and that’s critical in blowout scripts. Chicago’s bench, outside of Ayo Dosunmu and occasionally Jevon Carter, doesn’t offer much scoring or defensive resistance.
If you’re looking for more advanced breakdowns like this, check out our NBA expert betting guide to sharpen your strategy.
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Bulls vs Rockets Predictions and Best Bets
This line is wide, but it’s hard to argue against it. The Rockets are clearly the better team, they’re at home, and they’re facing a Bulls squad with no rhythm, chemistry, or scoring punch. Houston has covered several -10 or higher spreads this season and has the defense to hold Chicago under 105 — which would likely be enough to clear this margin.
Lean: Rockets -12.5 (-109).
The public might be scared off by the number, but Houston has covered these lines at home repeatedly. They win with defense and depth, and Chicago has been completely unreliable on the road.
Total lean: Under 224.5.
Chicago’s scoring floor is too low to trust. Even if Houston hits 115–118, the Bulls could drag the game under by failing to crack 105. Blowout risk also leads to slower fourth-quarter pace, which further supports the Under.
Alt lean: Bulls team total Under 106.5 (if available). Houston allows just 103.2 PPG at home.
Best Bet: Rockets -12.5 (-109).
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