Rockets Wrangle Bulls, 127-117, for 7th Straight Win
Scrappers. Necessary Villain. Bakers Dozen.
Led by Jalen Green’s 26 points, the Rockets used a balanced attack to beat the Bulls, 127-117, on Thursday night. Six different players scored at least 14 points for Houston, who won their seventh straight game to climb back to within one game (34-35) of .500 on the season. Green’s 26 points came on 10-for-22 shooting, as he continues to lead the way and play with an unforeseen consistency since Alperen Sengun’s injury. The Rockets led by as many as 19 points in the first half on Thursday, and weathered a Chicago comeback attempt to fend off the Bulls for victory. Jock Landale had the best game of his Rocket career. Landale scored 17 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, to go with 5 assists and 2 blocks. The Aussie continues to take advantage of his increased playing time due to the absence of Sengun. Amen Thompson had another solid game with 15 points and 8 boards. Aaron Holiday chipped in 15 points off the bench, and the never-aging “Uncle” Jeff Green contributed 14 points off the pine for Houston. Ayo Dosunmu led the Bulls with 35 points, as he, along with Coby White, continue to have break-out seasons for Chicago as they deal with several injuries (Zack LaVine, Patrick Williams, and others).
The most talked about play of the game came in the third quarter, when DeMar DeRozan frustratingly hip-checked Jalen Green. Thankfully, Dillon Brooks immediately came to have his teammates back. DeRozan attacked Houston’s best player, and Brooks was having none of it in his house. A scuffle ensued, and afterwards, Brooks was ejected for initiating the confrontation with DeRozan. It was obviously a dirty play, and DeRozan was assessed a Flagrant Foul 2 and also ejected from the contest. Brooks was having one of his best games of the season, as he scored 23 points less than three quarters into the game. Regardless, Brooks sent a message that these young Rockets are not going to be bullied or pushed around, especially in Houston. Dillon may be a “Villain” to the rest of the league, but he’s the villain the Rockets need right now. Someone not afraid to stand up for his teammates. Three seasons ago, Green would’ve been tossed aside and non one would’ve confronted DeRozan. Those days are long over. These Rockets are genuine scrappers. Houston is now 4-0 this calendar year in games where a scuffle breaks out. The squad is truly fighting their way back into the playoff picture.
The Rockets now trail the Golden State Warriors by only two games in the loss column for the Final Play-In Spot. Only 13 games remain for the Rockets on this campaign. Houston’s schedule toughens up after the next two games, and the Rockets are still long shots to make the Play-In, but their winning play recently has put them right back in the picture. The Rockets are breathing down the necks of the ninth and tenth place Lakers and Warriors respectively. Houston still needs help via losses from L.A. and Golden State, but if the Rockets keep winning, they could shock the NBA world and sneak into the Play-In Tourney. Up next, Houston hosts the Utah Jazz on Saturday night at Toyota Center, as they’ll aim to reach .500 in the standings for the first time since last November.