Houston Rockets vs Chicago Bulls Betting Preview

Date & Time: Thursday, March 31, 7:00 PM

Venue: Toyota Center (Houston, Texas)

Head to head record

Chicago Bulls vs Houston Rockets 108-100 (2015/2016 NBA)
Houston Rockets vs Chicago Bulls 101-90 (2014/2015 NBA)
Chicago Bulls vs Houston Rockets 114-105 (2014/2015 NBA)
Chicago Bulls vs Houston Rockets 111-87 (2013/2014 NBA)
Houston Rockets vs Chicago Bulls 109-94 (2013/2014 NBA)

Houston Rockets vs Chicago Bulls prediction

A place in the NBA play-offs will be at stake when Houston Rockets and Chicago Bulls take on each other at Toyota Center on Thursday evening. J.B. Bickerstaff’s troops aim to build on a thrilling 106-100 win over Cleveland Cavaliers, but there is every chance we will see a close encounter in Texas.

Important win over Cavs

Houston Rockets quickly bounced back from the 104-101 loss to Indiana Pacers, with the team beating Cleveland Cavaliers on the road. However, it has to be noted that the Cavs played without their key player LeBron James on Tuesday. Anyhow, thanks to the triumph J.B. Bickerstaff’s men retained their spot in top eight in the Western Conference and they will be looking to strengthen their grip on the play-off place when they take on Chicago Bulls on Thursday. You should know that Houston came from 20 points behind to beat Cleveland at Quick Loans Arena. Rockets suffered a 108-100 defeat to Bulls earlier this season and, no doubt, the hosts are hungry revenge. James Harden scored 36 points in the United Center clash and all eyes will be on the “Beard” when the two teams take on each other at Toyota Center.

The likes of Jones, Goudelock and Smith did not enter the court against Cavs and they are unlikely to play some part in Thursday’s clash against Chicago Bulls.

One win in last four away games

After suffering two defeats in the double-header against New York Knicks earlier in March, Chicago Bulls were beaten by Orlando Magic 111-89 at Amway Center. To make things even worse for the fans, Atlanta Hawks proved to be a big catch for Fred Hoiberg’s troops, but thanks to a 98-86 win at Indiana the team managed to put an end to their four-game losing run. Chicago produced a thrilling performance in the triumph over Pacers, with former Real Madrid ace Nikola Mirotic scoring 28 points for Bulls. Fred Hoiberg’s team, though, failed to return to the play-offs berth, meaning that they face a must-win game in Thursday’s game against Houston Rockets. Derrick Rose failed to impress against Indiana as he scored no more than 8 points during the match (4/15), but he is likely to pose a big threat for Rockets.

French international Joakim Noah remains in the recovery room, but coach Fred Hoiberg has no fresh injury worries ahead of the trip to Texas. Snell did not play against Indiana, but he could return against Rockets.

Interesting Facts

• Nikola Mirotic made seven three-pointers in the win over Indiana
• Chicago suffered three defeats in last four away games
• Bulls recorded their last win at Houston back in 2010
• Houston scored 100+ points in five of their last six home games
• Rockets netted 100+ points in previous three meetings with Chicago
• James Harden is averaging 28.6 points per game

Houston Rockets vs Chicago Bulls betting pick

There will be fireworks when Houston and Chicago take on each other at Toyota Center. Both coaches can count on their key players for Thursday’s game, but seeing that home team emerged triumphant in each of their last five meetings in NBA, I am tempted to put my money on Rockets, who showed character in the 106-100 triumph over Cleveland Cavaliers. In their last meeting in Texas, Rockets outplayed Bulls 101-90.

Pick: Houston to cover the spread

Odds: -110