Houston Rockets vs. Chicago Bulls game preview

Houston welcomes the red-hot Bulls to the Toyota Center

The Chicago Bulls are on a 4-game winning streak. Whereas they spent a decent chunk of their season looking behind them at what felt like the inevitable Philadelphia 76ers push, they know sit five games ahead of the 11th place Toronto Raptors as I type this. Conversely, they are just one game back of Miami for the 9th seed, which would allow them to start their play-in journey at home.

Chicago has gotten big contributions from Coby White, who is a game time decision tonight. Josh Giddey is also questionable. The Bulls have the rest advantage tonight, but tonight starts a six-game road trip that runs through some good Western Conference teams, so it’s possible that they try to rest up in order to focus on their game Monday in Utah.

Tonight is the Houston Rockets’s fifth game of a six-game homestand. The home games (and general lack of back-to-backs, tonight notwithstanding) have helped Houston climb back into the top 3 in the West. Obviously every game is paramount moving foward, especially with Golden State and Minnesota refusing to lose. The magic number for a playoff (non-play-in) spot in currently 54 wins, which would require Houston to go 12-2. That’s unlikely. Last season 48 was the magic number, which feels more feasible.

We’ll be in the Playback room tonight, so you should come join to watch the Rockets and talk about the game. Remember, we get a handful of VIP passes that we give out to anyone who wants to watch the game. No League Pass necessary!

Tip-off

7pm CT

How To Watch

Space City Home Network and Playback

Injury Report

Rockets

Reed Sheppard: OUT

Amen Thompson: OUT

Bulls

Lonzo Ball: OUT

Josh Giddey: GTD

Coby White: GTD

The Line (as of this post)

N/A

Check here for updates

Looking ahead because we can

Monday night in Houston against the Philadelphia 76ers