Frustration comes in many forms. For the Chicago Bulls, it comes from a quick start to the season, now turning into mere hopes of remaining in the Play-In Tournament. For the Houston Rockets, it comes from supposed title hopes now looking like a possible Play-In berth.
My Bulls vs. Rockets predictions and NBA picks recognize which of those slides is more severe, and it is actually not the one you may assume.
Tip comes at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 13.
Bulls vs Rockets prediction
Bulls vs Rockets best bet: Bulls +13 (-110)
It is hard to assign the Houston Rockets' struggles to Fred VanVleet’s season-long absence, given that their real problems are defensive. But whatever the reason, it has to be noted that Houston has stumbled to a 4-12 against-the-spread record since early December.
At the start of the season, the Rockets’ lack of a true point guard did not look like a great worry. Their No. 4 offensive rating was only outdone by their No. 2 defensive rating through Dec. 5.
But as more of Houston’s liabilities were put on tape, that defense fell apart. The offense also slipped off, four points worse per 100 possessions since Dec. 6 than before it, down to No. 7 in the NBA. But the defense is now abysmal, 5.6 points worse per 100 possessions in those two stretches and ranking No. 22 in the NBA in the last 16 games.
Those feed into each other. Missed shots help the opponents’ transition game.
Whatever the cause, Houston has a problem.
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Bulls vs Rockets same-game parlay
Six straight Houston games have gone Under their totals, in part because an ankle injury has limited Alperen Sengun. Even before his injury, he had fallen short of this prop in three of four games.
Bulls vs Rockets SGP
- Bulls +13
- Under 224
- Aleperen Sengun Under 21.5 Points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Slowed Sengun
Sengun came back from his ankle injury sooner than expected, and while he played well, his nine rebounds in 35 minutes should be considered a standard until his ankle is 100%.
Bulls vs Rockets SGP
- Bulls +13
- Under 224
- Aleperen Sengun Under 21.5 Points
- Alperen Sengun Under 9.5 Rebounds
Bulls vs Rockets odds
- Spread: Bulls +13 | Rockets -13
- Moneyline: Bulls +425 | Rockets -575
- Over/Under: Over 224 | Under 224
Bulls vs Rockets betting trend to know
Houston has gone 0-5 ATS in its last five, falling short of bookmakers’ expectations by an average of 14 points per game. Find more NBA betting trends for Bulls vs. Rockets.
How to watch Bulls vs Rockets
| Location | Toyota Center, Houston, TX |
| Date | Tuesday, January 13, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | CHSN, SCHN |
Bulls vs Rockets latest injuries
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