Rockets edge Bulls |
Dustin Riese
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- 1 day ago
HOUSTON - We have been hinting at this for a while now.
Whether or not the Chicago Bulls (28-39) ultimately make the Play in Tournament could hinge on what they do on their current six-game West Coast trip. Sure, the Bulls entered their game with the Houston Rockets (43-25) with a comfortable lead for the No. 10 seed, but one lousy road trip here could be the end of that conversation.
Looking to keep their season-long four-game winning streak alive, the Bulls were at the Toyota Center Saturday night, looking to kick off their road trip with a bang. For the most part, the Bulls held their own and even led the Rockets at the half, but it was the second half that did them in as Houston outscored the Bulls by eight points in the second half, including a 25-18 third quarter to take the lead for good before holding on for the 117-114 win.
Even with the Bulls winning streak ending, the fans had to like how this team played as their new-look lineup continued to battle and show plenty of fight, unlike what they did earlier in the season. Coby White is one of those players who has been picking up his game as of late, and despite another rough shooting night that saw him go just 7-21 and 1-7 from deep, White still found a way to lead the Bulls as he finished with 23 points. White also added seven rebounds and four assists as he tried his best to keep the Bulls winning streak alive.
One of the many new faces that has changed the way fans will look at this season is Tre Jones, who continues to fill in for the injured Lonzo Ball. Jones had the hand throughout the first half for the Bulls, leading Chicago with 12 points at the break before finishing the game off with 19 points. He also dished out six assists and is starting to become one of those pieces the Bulls can't afford to move on from.
Those two were the primary offensive weapons for the Bulls, but with four starters and six total players in double figures, there was plenty of offensive support to go around. One night after putting up his worst showing of the season, Nikola Vucevic started to look more like himself as he chipped in 15 points and picked up seven boards. With Zach Collins being held to just five points off the bench, the Bulls needed Vucevic to play well, which he did most of the night.
Rounding out the double-digit performances for the Bulls starters was Matas Buzelis, who scored 10 points, but he was limited to just 19 minutes in the game. A big reason for that was the play of Patrick Williams off the bench as he started to round back into form. Sure, 10 points may not seem impressive, but Williams has been miserable at best this season, so for him to deliver those types of numbers, you have to be happy. Dalen Terry also added 11 points off the bench for Chicago, as those were the main scoring threats in what was a shorter rotation for Chicago.
Although it took the Rockets longer than expected to settle in, a win is a win, and the Rockets will take the wins any way they can get them this late in the season. Having a trio of 20-point scorers does help your cause, as Jalen Green came out firing to lead the Rockets with 28 points. Green connected on five of his teams 14 made triples as both teams made the same amount from deep.
Houston also saw Fred VanVleet come through with a massive game as he also connected for five made triples to finish with 23 points and seven assists. The third member of the Rockets, starting five to finish with at least 20 points, was the big man Alperen Sengun, who managed to come away with 24 points and 15 boards. Sengun is a player the Bulls could've drafted a few years ago, and after watching him turn into the player he has become the Bulls have to be shaking their heads.
Not only did those three play a massive role in the Rockets' success, but when your starting lineup accounts for 100 of your team's 117 points, you're going to be hard to beat. Dillon Brooks and Jabari Smith made it five starters with double figures for the Rockets, accounted for 13 and 12 points, respectively, in the Rockets' come-from-behind win. Chicago will continue their West Coast trip Monday as they head to Utah in what will be their best opportunity to win a game on this trip.
