Game Time: Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET
Location: Toyota Center, Houston, TX
TV: SCHN, CHSN
Spread: Rockets -12.5
Total: 224.5 points
Here we go again, Bulls fans. We’re 18-20, sitting in 10th place in the East, and traveling to Houston to face a Rockets team that’s 22-14 and coming off a three-game losing streak.
They’re 12.5-point favorites. At home. Where they’ve won six straight.
And we’re 7-11 on the road, which means we’re basically a guaranteed loss for any team with a pulse when we play away from Chicago.
But here’s the thing—Houston is reeling right now. They’ve lost three straight. They’re frustrated. And we just beat Dallas convincingly, so we’ve got a tiny bit of momentum.
Can we pull off the upset? Probably not. But can we at least cover the 12.5 and not get embarrassed? That’s the real question.
Current Records: Both Teams Trying To Figure It Out
Rockets: 22-14 (7th in the West, 11-2 at home)
Bulls: 18-20 (10th in the East, 7-11 on the road)
Houston is four games over .500 and comfortably in the playoff picture in the West. They’ve been excellent at home (11-2), which is bad news for us since we’re terrible on the road.
We’re two games under .500 and clinging to the 10th seed in the East. We’re not out of the playoff race, but we’re not exactly in control of our destiny either.
The good news? Houston is on a three-game losing streak. The bad news? Those losses probably ended the second they saw they were playing us next.
Why Houston Is A 12.5-Point Favorite (Unfortunately)
1. They’re 11-2 At Home
Eleven wins, two losses at the Toyota Center. That’s dominant. When Houston plays at home, they’re a completely different team—faster pace, better shooting, more aggressive defense.
We’re 7-11 on the road. When we play away from the United Center, we’re inconsistent, sloppy, and prone to falling apart in the third quarter.
2. They’ve Got The Athleticism To Run With Us
Houston is built for pace. They want to run, push the ball in transition, and get easy buckets. We’re sixth in the NBA in fast break points (17.9 per game), so we like to run too.
The problem? They’re better at it. Amen Thompson and Jalen Green are explosive athletes who can finish in transition. When both teams want to run, the more athletic team usually wins.
3. Our Defense Is Still A Problem
We’re giving up 120.8 points per game. That’s bad. Like, bottom-third-of-the-league bad.
Houston averages 117.9 points per game. They’re going to score on us, and the question is whether we can score enough to keep up.
4. They’re Angry After Three Straight Losses
Houston lost three games in a row. They’re frustrated, they’re motivated, and they’re at home facing a team they should beat.
That’s the worst possible combination for us. They’re going to come out aggressive, punch us in the mouth early, and try to blow us out before halftime.
Why The Bulls Might Cover (Or Even Win)
Okay, I have to find reasons to believe. Let me make the case for why we’re not completely dead in the water:
1. We Just Beat Dallas
We dominated the Mavericks—31 assists, 14 forced turnovers, solid ball movement. That’s the kind of basketball that makes us dangerous.
If we can replicate that performance in Houston, we’ve got a shot to keep this close.
2. Houston Turns The Ball Over A Lot
The Rockets average 14.7 turnovers per game. When they turn the ball over, they’re beatable (their record drops significantly in high-turnover games).
If we can force 15+ turnovers and convert them into easy transition buckets, we can stay within striking distance.
3. Coby White Is Playing Great Basketball
Coby White has been our most consistent player lately. He’s averaging 3.5 fast break points per game, which leads our team. When Coby is pushing pace and attacking in transition, we’re at our best.
If Coby can get into the paint, create havoc, and set up easy buckets, we’ve got a chance.
4. Zach LaVine Can Take Over Games
When Zach LaVine is healthy and locked in, he can drop 35-40 on any team in the league. If Zach goes nuclear tonight, we can steal this game.
The problem is consistency. When Zach is off, our offense stalls. But if he’s feeling it from deep and attacking the rim, we’re dangerous.
5. Maybe Houston Isn’t Fully Locked In Yet
They just lost three straight. Sometimes after a losing streak, teams come out tight and pressing instead of loose and confident.
If we can score first, get the crowd nervous, and make Houston feel the pressure, maybe—just maybe—they tighten up and give us a chance.
The Key Matchups That’ll Decide This Game
Amen Thompson vs Coby White
This is the pace-setter matchup. Both guys want to push tempo, attack in transition, and create easy buckets.
Thompson is averaging 18.7 points on 51.8% shooting. He’s athletic, aggressive, and fearless going to the rim.
Coby White is our engine in transition. When he’s cooking, we’re dangerous. When he’s not, we’re stuck in the mud.
Whoever wins this matchup probably controls the pace of the game.
Edge: Thompson at home, but Coby can hang if he’s aggressive.
Jalen Green vs Zach LaVine
Battle of the athletic shooting guards who can both go off for 30+ on any given night.
Jalen Green has been inconsistent this season but is capable of erupting for big scoring nights. When he’s hot, he’s almost impossible to stop.
Zach LaVine is our best scorer when healthy. If Zach gets going early, we can hang with Houston’s firepower.
Edge: Toss-up. Both can dominate, both can disappear.
Houston’s Bench vs Our Bench
This is where we’re in trouble. Houston’s bench has been solid at home. Our second unit has been… not great on the road.
If we go to the bench and immediately give up a 10-2 run, the game could slip away quickly.
Edge: Rockets by a lot.
My Prediction: We Lose, But Maybe Cover
I want to believe we can win this game. We just beat Dallas. Houston is on a three-game skid. We’ve got offensive firepower.
But we’re 7-11 on the road, Houston is 11-2 at home, and 12.5 points is a massive spread for a reason.
Final Score: Rockets 116, Bulls 107
We lose by 9, which means we cover the 12.5-point spread. We keep it competitive for three quarters, Coby and Zach score their points, but Houston’s depth and home-court advantage wear us down in the fourth.
It’s a respectable loss that keeps us in striking distance of .500.
Betting Picks
Best Bet: Bulls +12.5 ✓✓
Twelve and a half points is a LOT. We just beat Dallas, we can score, and Houston is coming off three straight losses. I think we keep this within 10.
Strong Lean: Over 224.5 ✓✓
Both teams want to run and score. We’re giving up 120+ per game, they’re averaging 117.9. This should fly over.
Player Prop: Coby White Over 18.5 Points
Coby has been our most consistent scorer. Against Houston’s pace, he should get plenty of opportunities.
Avoid: Rockets -12.5
Laying 12.5 with a team that’s lost three straight? Pass. If you like Houston, take the moneyline.
Keys To Covering (Or Winning)
For the Bulls to cover +12.5:
- Force 15+ turnovers
- Coby and Zach combine for 50+ points
- Win the fast break battle
- Hit 14+ threes
- Stay within 6-8 points heading into the fourth quarter
What kills us:
- Houston jumps out 25-10 and we’re done early
- We turn the ball over 18+ times
- Their bench outscores ours by 15+
- Zach goes cold (5-for-18 type night)
- We give up 125+ points
The Honest Bulls Fan Take
We’re 18-20 and struggling to stay relevant in the playoff race. Houston is 22-14 and reeling from a three-game losing streak.
On paper, this should be a blowout. They’re better, they’re at home, and we’re terrible on the road.
But we just beat Dallas convincingly. We’ve got offensive weapons. And Houston is vulnerable right now after losing three straight.
Can we win? It’s possible. Can we cover 12.5? I think so.
I’m not expecting a victory, but I’m expecting us to compete and keep this game within single digits.
Bulls 107, Rockets 116. We cover the spread, preserve some dignity, and move on to the next game.
Bear Down. Let’s shock some people tonight.
Game Info Summary
- When: Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET
- Where: Toyota Center, Houston, TX
- TV: SCHN, CHSN
- Records: Bulls 18-20, Rockets 22-14
- Spread: Rockets -12.5
- Total: 224.5 points
Houston’s home streak: 6 consecutive wins at Toyota Center
Houston’s recent form: Lost 3 straight games
Bulls’ road record: 7-11 away from United Center
Bulls’ recent win: Beat Dallas with 31 assists, 14 forced turnovers
Key stat: We’re 6th in NBA in fast break points (17.9 PPG)
Final picks:
- Bulls +12.5 (best bet)
- Over 224.5 (strong lean)
- Coby White Over 18.5 points
Realistic expectation: Competitive loss, cover the spread, avoid embarrassment.
Let’s prove we belong. Let´s go Bulls!!!