Houston Rockets vs Chicago Bulls – Free NBA prediction and picks – January 13, 2026

Houston Rockets – Chicago Bulls: lopsided matchup in Texas

An intriguing showdown at the Toyota Center, where the Houston Rockets host a Chicago side that’s still unpredictable. Favorites on paper, the Texans can’t afford to sleep on a Bulls team that adapts well tactically, especially against zone looks. This one could come down to collective execution and who controls the tempo.

Houston Rockets: cash in on home court

Nothing’s gone right in Houston lately. Four losses in five have them sliding down the standings, knocked out of the West’s top six by the Suns. It’s not all doom, though — Alperen Sengun returned against Sacramento and Amen Thompson put up a monster line (31 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists in the loss). After three road games, the Rockets get back to the Toyota Center, where they’ve been excellent this season: 11 wins in 13 games.

The real strength of Ime Udoka’s team is the defense. Allowing just 110.8 points per game, Houston has the third-best defense in the league. The absences of Tari Eason and Dorian Finney-Smith will dent that a bit, but the roster has enough solid pieces to cope without those rotation staples. Offensively, Sengun’s return should help and kick the offense back to life after a rough spell for the Rockets.

Chicago Bulls: hunting an upset

Three wins in their last six keeps the Bulls hanging in the East’s mid-pack. Chicago’s been mediocre on the road this season — just seven wins in 17 away games. Missing Josh Giddey, Zach Collins and Coby White won’t help an up-and-down offense: capable of the best, like the tidy win over the Mavs (125-107), and the worst, like the flop in Detroit (93-107).

Nikola Vucevic will be left to shoulder the attack unless Matas Buzelis and Ayo Dosunmu step up and keep Billy Donovan’s fast play rolling. A big offensive night is probably the Bulls’ only real shot at pulling this off. Their defense looks likely to struggle, especially against Alperen Sengun and Kevin Durant.

NBA Prediction Houston Rockets vs Chicago Bulls

Rockets to win by 11+ points

Home Rockets = a big edge this season. Even if the Texas franchise is in a rough patch, Chicago’s heading to the Toyota Center without its two main offensive weapons — bad timing against one of the league’s top defenses. Houston can pile on points, and with Alperen Sengun and Kevin Durant there’s simply too much elite scoring for the Bulls to handle.

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