When the Houston Rockets last faced the Chicago Bulls on Nov. 24, they entered with the league’s worst record at 1-16, and with head coach Stephen Silas reportedly facing questions about his job security.
The Rockets won that night in Houston, and led by a resurgent group with Christian Wood now playing at center, they are 9-4 since. Can Houston somehow beat the favored Bulls again, and this time, in Chicago?
The Bulls, who are currently at No. 2 in the Eastern Conference standings, won’t quite be themselves on Monday — having had two games postponed last week due to a COVID-19 outbreak within the roster. But many of their sidelined players are coming back, as evidenced by their home victory on Sunday night versus the Los Angeles Lakers.
Here’s when and how to watch Monday’s game:
- Date: Monday, Dec. 20
- Time: 7:00 p.m. Central
- TV Channel: AT&T SportsNet Southwest, NBA League Pass
- Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free in Houston markets)
Probable starting lineups
Houston Rockets (10-20)
- Guard: Eric Gordon
- Guard: Josh Christopher
- Forward: Garrison Mathews
- Forward: Jae’Sean Tate
- Center: Christian Wood
Chicago Bulls (18-10)
- Guard: Lonzo Ball
- Guard: Alex Caruso
- Forward: DeMar DeRozan
- Forward: Javonte Green
- Center: Nikola Vucevic
Projected lineups are from each team’s official game notes.
The Rockets remain without injured guards Jalen Green (left hamstring strain) and Kevin Porter Jr. (left thigh contusion), with each listed as out. However, both hope to return within the next week. Armoni Brooks (left ankle soreness) is questionable after missing Saturday’s game.
The Bulls won’t release their injury/status report until midday Monday, since it is part two of a back-to-back for them.
On Sunday, Chicago’s report listed Zach LaVine, Ayo Dosunmu, Troy Brown Jr., Alize Johnson, and Matt Thomas as out due to health and safety protocols, while Patrick Williams remains sidelined by a left wrist ligament tear. The potential return of any of those “protocols” absences will depend on negative COVID-19 testing results — though Chicago head coach Billy Donovan previously said that LaVine, Dosunmu, and Johnson aren’t expected to return until after Christmas.
This post originally appeared on Rockets Wire. Follow us on Facebook!
Zach LaVine, Ayo Dosunmu and Alize Johnson aren't expected to return out of COVID-19 protocols until after Christmas, Billy Donovan says.
— Cody Westerlund (@CodyWesterlund) December 16, 2021
