After winning Saturday over the worst team (Detroit) in the Eastern Conference, the Rockets took a clear step up in competition when resuming play Monday in Chicago, where the Bulls are No. 2 in the East standings. Unfortunately for Houston, the result reflected that change.
Led by veteran star DeMar DeRozan, the home team dominated a lethargic Houston defense for nearly the entirety of Monday’s game, leading to an easy 133-118 win (box score) for Chicago. After losing to Houston in November in a game the Rockets stole in the final quarter, the Bulls made sure there would be no such drama this time around.
DeRozan scored a game-high 26 points on 11-of-18 shooting (61.1%) on Monday, while Coby White scored 24 on 5-of-9 shooting (55.6%) from 3-point range. Lonzo Ball had 19 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds, and 5 steals, and he shot 4-of-9 on 3-pointers (44.4%). As a team, the Bulls (19-10) connected on 16-of-35 shots (45.7%) from 3-point range.
The Rockets (10-21) were led by center Christian Wood, who scored 23 points (8-of-14 shooting, 57.1% FG) while grabbing 11 rebounds in 29 minutes. Other players to score in double figures included:
- Jae’Sean Tate: 16 points, 7-of-13 shooting (53.8%), 6 assists, 5 rebounds in 22 minutes
- Armoni Brooks: 15 points, 6-of-13 shooting (46.2%), 3-of-9 on 3-pointers (33.3%), 4 assists in 32 minutes
- KJ Martin: 15 points, 6-of-7 shooting (85.7%), 1-of-1 on 3-pointers in 24 minutes
- Eric Gordon: 10 points, 4-of-6 shooting (66.7%), 2-of-4 on 3-pointers (50.0%), 6 assists in 27 minutes
- Josh Christopher: 10 points, 3-of-5 shooting (60.0%), 3 rebounds, 2 assists in 20 minutes
The Rockets are now 1-1 on their season-long road trip of five games, which continues Wednesday night in Milwaukee. Until then, scroll on for highlights and postgame reaction following Monday’s loss.
