Bulls vs Rockets Pick, Preview & Betting Odds For Saturday, March 11th

Check out our free Bulls vs Rockets pick and preview for this NBA game in Houston. See who we like to win and cover the spread in this NBA matchup.

Bulls vs Rockets NBA Pick & Preview

Sport: NBA
Teams: Chicago Bulls at Houston Rockets
Where: Houston at Toyota Center
Date: Saturday, March 11th
Betting Odds HOU +7.5, CHI -295 | HOU +239 O/U 227.0

So far, the Bulls have put together an overall record of 30-36, while going 32-34-0 vs the spread. In the teams past 3 games, their overall mark sits at 1-2. Chicago is 1-2 vs the spread in these matchups.

The Bulls are coming off a 117-96 win over the Nuggets. This away win came despite entering the game as the 8 point underdogs. Although Chicago trailed the Nuggets going into halftime, by the end of the 3rd quarter they had taken the lead. In the win, Zach LaVine led the team in scoring with 29 points on a field goal percentage of 66.7%.

So far, the Rockets have put together an overall record of 15-51, while going 25-39-2 vs the spread. Houston will take the court having lost 2 straight games. On average, they have lost these games by -15.5 points per game.

The Rockets will be looking to bounce back from a 134-125 loss to the Pacers. In terms of betting, Houston entered as 9 point underdogs, giving them an ATS win. Houston was not able to make a comeback in this matchup, as they went into the half down by 6. Leading the team in scoring was Jabari Smith Jr., as he contributed 30 points while hitting 52.6% of his shots.

Head To Head Recap & Stats

In the most recent matchup between the two teams, the Rockets picked up the win 133-118 win over the Bulls. Heading into the game, Houston was the 7.0 point underdogs, giving them an ATS win. This has been the only matchup between the two teams this season. In last year’s head-to-head meetings, the Bulls averaged 123.0 points per game vs Houston, which was an increase over their season-long average. On the other side, the Rockets also experienced an uptick in scoring during head-to-head matchups, averaging 118.0 points per game vs Chicago. Across the previous 5 meetings between the teams, the Bulls have an average scoring margin of +4 points per game, leading to an ATS mark of 3-2. The over-under record in these same games is 4-1, with the teams combining for an average of 238 points per game.

Odds & Free Betting Analysis For This NBA Game

This season, the Chicago offense is ranked 21st in the NBA in scoring at 113.1 points per game. Coming into today’s game, the Bulls will be looking to improve their 3-point shooting numbers, as they are averaging just 10.2 made 3’s per game. If the Chicago offense is going to improve, they must continue to do a good job avoiding turnovers. Currently, the unit is 11th in fewest turnovers per game.

Against the Rockets, the Bulls will need a stronger defensive effort as they are ranked just 17th in points allowed.

On offense, Zach LaVine leads the Bulls in scoring at 24.7 points per game, placing him 23rd in the NBA. Overall, LaVine has hit 48.0% of his shots while accounting for 20.7% of the team’s looks from the field. In today’s game, he will be working against a defensive unit that is 24th in points allowed to shooting guards. At 24.9 points per game, DeMar DeRozan is the 2nd leading scorer for the Bulls. For the season, he is 45th in the league in player efficiency rating, while posting a field goal percentage of 51.0%.

The Rockets come into today’s game as the 29th ranked scoring offense at 110.3 points per game. Coming into today’s game, the Rockets will be looking to improve their 3-point shooting numbers, as they are averaging just 10.6 made 3’s per game. One area of the team’s offense that has been effective is their ability to get to the free-throw line. So far, they are ranked 10th, with an average of 19.2 made free-throws per game.

Defensively, Houston has had its problems giving up an average of 118.2 points per game (30th).

On offense, Jalen Green leads the Rockets in scoring at 21.8 points per game, placing him 37th in the NBA. Overall, Green has hit 41.3% of his shots while accounting for 20.1% of the team’s looks from the field. In today’s game, he will be working against a defensive unit that is 27th in points allowed to shooting guards. At 14.8 points per game, Alperen Sengün is the 2nd leading scorer for the Rockets. For the season, he is 66th in the league in player efficiency rating, while posting a field goal percentage of 55.7%.