The Houston Rockets came in on Monday in the hope that unexpected free time (due to two delays related to a winter storm) could allow them to hit the reset button after a series of long losses.
Against Zach LaVine and the growing Bulls, this was not the case. Inflamed by a 46-point eruption in the third quarter, Chicago (14-16) won for the fourth time in five games with a 120-100 (boxing score) hit Monday at the Toyota Center. It is the eighth straight loss for the Rockets (11-18), all since Christian Wood’s right ankle injury.
The last time Houston had a series of losses longer than eight games was a player of 15 at the beginning of the 2000-01 season.
LaVine led Chicago’s balanced effort with 21 points and hit 4 of 6 in the 3-point range (66.7%). Meanwhile, back teammate Coby White scored 24 points in the game and scored 10 rebounds. David Nwaba led Houston with 22 points, which equaled a career high and 9 rebounds.
The missiles were again subordinated, with two starters absent in Wood and Victor Oladipo (right leg tension). However, the regulars who played were not good enough. Veteran John Wall (15 points, 7 assists) shot just 4 of 14 overall (28.6%), while backfield Eric Gordon (13 points) shot 5 of 18 (27.8%) and 1 out of 10 on 3 -indices (10.0%).
Houston returns to action Wednesday in Cleveland, with the tipoff scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Central Time. For now, here is a collection of highlights and post-game reactions from Monday’s bad presentation.
Stephen Silas
David Nwaba
Eric Gordon