Despite some of Houston’s flailing crunch-time efforts this month, I’m not ready to write off Ime Udoka’s squad, especially when the Rockets are allowing just 109.9 PPG, the fourth-lowest mark in the league. Defense is the visitors’ edge here, and Houston has won four straight meetings against the Bulls, and this spread could be bigger when you look at Chicago’s recent blowout losses against the Raptors, Lakers. and, somehow, Kings.
Though Josh Giddey is a threat, the Rockets have the perimeter hounds to limit his scoring, and they’re coming off encouraging victories over the Hawks and Heat.
I had absolutely zero hesitation hitting this number—this is my favorite prop on the board for Monday. Reed Sheppard has stepped into the starting lineup in place of Tari Eason and is now running the point, initiating a ton of the offense. In his last game against the Miami Heat, he dished out 14 assists on 21 potential assists, and now he draws a Chicago Bulls defense that lacks both point-of-attack resistance and rim protection—two things that are critical for slowing down a playmaker like him. In two-man actions with Sengun, Bulls guards will be forced to chase over the top because of Sheppard’s lethal jump shot. That opens up everything: his ability to snake the dribble, force Jalen Smith to commit, and create easy looks—whether it’s pocket passes to Sengun or drop-offs to Amen Thompson in the dunker spot. At +128 for over 5.5 assists, this line feels way off—I have it priced closer to -225.
The Rockets are the second-most methodical team in the Association, and they can dictate pace against the Bulls, who play fast and loose on offense. Houston struggles to cover big spreads, though, so I like that narrative to manifest in another Under, despite the lower total.
Total PicksHOU 182, CHI 117
kermitfrog is #1 on picking games that Chicago is in with a record of (44-24-2) and +12850 units on the season.
Ollywood is #1 on picking games that Houston is in with a record of (43-22-0) and +18700 units on the season.
unbuckle is #10 on picking games that Chicago is in with a record of (36-26-1) and +8450 units on the season.
FRANKYFUGAZI1 is #2 on picking games that Chicago is in with a record of (43-26-1) and +12750 units on the season.
Enelra18 is #2 on picking games that Houston is in with a record of (37-27-0) and +13600 units on the season.
teslaxyz is #4 on picking games that Houston is in with a record of (41-28-0) and +11250 units on the season.
fadennis6 is #4 on picking games that Chicago is in with a record of (42-24-2) and +11350 units on the season.
popthebubble is #5 on picking games that Houston is in with a record of (23-19-0) and +10900 units on the season.
greenhouse12 is #6 on picking games that Houston is in with a record of (43-26-0) and +10750 units on the season.
jazzmatazz is #6 on picking games that Chicago is in with a record of (45-24-1) and +10200 units on the season.
JayAcosta20 is #8 on picking games that Chicago is in with a record of (36-31-1) and +8700 units on the season.
lewnyjune is #9 on picking games that Chicago is in with a record of (27-14-0) and +8500 units on the season.