Chicago Bulls at Houston Rockets on Sunday, April 4 looks like a mismatch on paper. Our ratings give the Rockets about a 87% chance, and the Bulls would need an unusual night to change that.
Why the gap is wide
The Win Meter reads the Rockets 87%, with a projected score of Chicago Bulls 109, Houston Rockets 121. The rating gap is 236 points in favor of the Rockets, and home court and rest add about 100 rating points for the Rockets on top of that.
A reading this high has real meaning, but upsets of this size happen. Nearly one game in 8 like it goes the other way.
Recent form
The Bulls are 1-3 this season and 1-4 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -19.2. The Rockets are 4-0 this season and 4-1 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of +3.8.
The Bulls were beaten 135-92 on the road by TOR not long ago.
The Rockets' best recent win was 128-110 at home against DAL.
The Rockets were beaten 98-78 at home by LAL not long ago.
Offense against defense
The Bulls score 110.8 a game and allow 129.5. The Rockets score 120.8 and allow 111. Pairing each offense with the other defense points to about 110.9 for the Bulls and 125.2 for the Rockets, a simple check on the Win Meter's projection.
The Bulls have defended better than the Rockets have scored, so the Rockets may need to find offense elsewhere.
Injuries to watch
Out: Nicolas Claxton (CHI), expected back Nov 4, 2026 and Steven Adams (HOU), expected back Nov 2, 2026.
Day to day or questionable: Patrick Williams (CHI) and Marcus Smart (HOU). Their status can change before tip-off.
The season series
In our records of recent meetings, the Rockets lead 3-1, with the Rockets outscoring the Bulls by an average of 9.3 points per game. The last meeting was HOU 124, CHI 132.