Bulls at Rockets, March 21: Prediction, point spread, odds, best bet

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Thanks to a 8-1 record in March and a six-game winning streak, the young Houston Rockets (33-35) are suddenly back in the mix for a spot in the 2023-24 Western Conference play-in tournament. Even so, with a three-game deficit in the loss column and only 14 games left to play, Houston’s margin of error in their quest to overtake the Lakers (37-32) or Warriors (35-32) remains very slim. The Rockets would win a tiebreaker with Los Angeles but lose to Golden State (though there is one head-to-head game left to play). While Houston’s home-road disparity has improved of late, the season-long numbers suggest that the Rockets are still much more trustworthy at home (23-11) than away (10-24). Thus, as the playoff race intensifies, it’s important for Houston to take care of business in home games, with the next coming Thursday versus Chicago. If you’d like last-minute betting research, you’re in luck! We have the latest point spread, money line odds and over/under number, as well as all the information you’ll need to make the smartest bet. Thursday’s game tips at 7 p.m. Central and can be seen regionally on Space City Home Network and nationally via NBA League Pass. Here’s a look at Thursday’s lines:

• Point spread: Rockets -3.5
• Money line: Rockets -165 / Bulls +140
• Over/Under: 219.5

Bulls at Rockets injury report: Houston’s lengthy injury report lists Steven Adams (right knee PCL surgery), Tari Eason (left tibia surgery), Alperen Sengun (right ankle sprain), and Cam Whitmore (right knee sprain) as out. Nate Hinton and Jermaine Samuels Jr. are in the NBA G League. The Bulls are listing Patrick Williams (left midfoot surgery), Lonzo Ball (left knee surgery), Zach LaVine (right midfoot surgery), and Julian Phillips (right foot sprain) as out for Thursday. Coby White (right hip strain) and Alex Caruso (left ankle sprain) are questionable. Henri Drell, Andrew Funk, and Adama Sanogo are all away from the team while spending time with Chicago’s G League affiliate. Advice and prediction In an overtime heartbreaker, the Rockets nearly beat the Bulls in Chicago in January, even with Coby White going for 30 points and 8 assists while shooting 6-of-11 from 3-point range (54.5%). Jabari Smith Jr. provided capable defense on Demar DeRozan, but it was White’s offensive explosion that proved too much to overcome. In Thursday’s rematch from Houston — where the home team has played well all season — we’ll take the surging Rockets to keep their momentum going versus the Bulls, who may not have White (questionable after missing Chicago’s previous three games). Prediction: Rockets 113, Bulls 109 Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire. Bulls at Rockets, March 21: Lineups, how to watch, injury reports, uniformsWith Jalen Green leading charge, Rockets chase goal of 2024 playoffs Email Sign up Like this article? Sign up for the Rockets Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning An error has occured Please re-enter your email address. Thanks for signing up! You'll now receive the top Rockets Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

Source: https://rocketswire.usatoday.com/2024/0 ... -best-bet/