In his first game since being traded to Houston, Victor Oladipo was electric with 32 points and nine assists on Monday. He shot 13-of-23 from the field (56.5%), including 4-of-9 on 3-pointers (44.4%), and big man Christian Wood backed him with 30 points and 9 rebounds.
Unfortunately for the Rockets, those individual numbers weren’t quite enough in a 125-120 loss (box score) to the host Bulls. Led by 33 points from Zach LaVine and 18 from and 18 by Lauri Markkanen, Chicago (6-8) was blistering hot from 3-point range, making 20-of-45 (44.4%) as a team. Both LaVine and Markkanen hit four 3-pointers.
It’s the second-straight loss overall for the Rockets, who remained short-handed for yet another game with rotation regulars John Wall (left knee soreness). Danuel House Jr. (self-isolation), and Sterling Brown (right lower leg soreness) all sidelined with injury or health concerns.
Oladipo’s 32 points were the second-most ever by a Houston player making his debut, trailing only James Harden — the man he was traded for. That could offer hope for better days ahead, especially as he gains more chemistry with his new team and players such as Wall return.
Then again, at 4-8 and with four losses in their last five games, the standings in a highly competitive Western Conference could soon become a big concern, if they aren’t able to turn things around quickly.
See below for a rundown of postgame reaction from Chicago.
