Jan. 13, 2026, 9:46 a.m. ET

The Chicago Bulls (18-20) hit the road to take on the Houston Rockets (22-14) at Toyota Center on Tuesday. Tip-off from Houston, Texas, is set for 8 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Bulls vs. Rockets odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.

2024-25 season series: Houston won 2-0

Chicago dominated the Dallas Mavericks 125-107 on Saturday while covering as a 4-point home favorite as the Under (233.5) hit. Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu combined for 42 points and 5 other Bulls also finished in double-digit points in what was truly a team win. The Bulls dominated 38-8 on the fast break and 68-44 in the paint.

Houston was handed an embarrassing 111-98 loss by the Sacramento Kings on Sunday while failing to cover as a 14.5-point road favorite with the Under (223.5) hitting. Amen Thompson finished with 31 points and 13 boards; Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun were the only other Rockets to hit double digits in scoring. The Rockets have lost 3 straight and have been held to 105 points or fewer in each of their last 5 outings.

Watch the NBA on Fubo!Bulls at Rockets odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 9:34 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Bulls +425 (bet $100 to win $425) | Rockets -600 (bet $600 to win $100)Against the spread (ATS): Bulls +12.5 (-105) | Rockets -12.5 (-115)Over/Under (O/U): 224.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)Bulls at Rockets key injuries

Bulls

C Zach Collins (toe) outG Josh Giddey (hamstring) outG Coby White (calf) out

Rockets

F Tari Eason (ankle) outF Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle) outG Fred VanVleet (knee) out

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

Bulls at Rockets picks and predictionsPrediction

Rockets 110, Bulls 99

PASS.

Houston will win here as a -625 favorite, but no team favored so heavily is ever worth the risk of betting on. Pass and bet on the much safer spread and/or Over/Under bets instead.

LEAN BULLS +12.5 (-105).

Chicago has covered the spread in 5 of its last 10 games while the Rockets are just 3-7 ATS in their last 10 outings. The Bulls are also 6-4 ATS in their previous 10 matchups against the Rockets, including 2-1 ATS in the last 3 meetings in Houston.

Houston has failed to cover in 5 straight games in which it was more than a 6-point favorite — and covering only twice in its last 10 such outings.

This is a lean because Chicago is obviously the far inferior team, especially with injuries to each of its 2 best players (Giddey and White) heading into this matchup.

BET UNDER 224.5 (-110).

The Under is 8-2 in Houston’s last 10 games, including hitting in all of the Rockets’ last 6 contests. For Chicago, the Under has hit in 7 of its last 10 games and is 21-17 for the Bulls this season.

With Chicago’s injuries, finding consistent offense against an already-elite Rockets defense will be nearly impossible. On the other side, Houston has been struggling offensively as of late and there’s no reason to believe the Rockets will explode for a ton of points two nights after the Kings held them under 100.

However, be aware that the Over is 9-1 in the last 10 matchups between these squads.

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