Rockets survive a spirited Bulls charge, showing grit and clutch play to extend their home win streak with a hard-fought victory.
The Houston Rockets protected home court again Tuesday night, grinding out a 119-113 win over the Chicago Bulls and stretching their home winning streak to seven. It wasn’t pretty early, but it was controlled when it mattered- and for a team that’s been fighting its own offense lately, that matters.
Chicago came in short-handed but aggressive, and for a while, they were beating Houston at its own game- controlling pace, smooth ball movement, and were dominating the glass.
The Bulls played loose and unselfish in the first half, piling up assists and attacking the paint while the Rockets struggled to match their energy. Houston’s offense showed familiar cracks early, with Kevin Durant once again forced to steady things as others searched for rhythm.
The Rockets opened well enough. Jabari Smith Jr., who’s been fighting his shot lately, knocked down his first look. Josh Okogie brought early energy with a poke-away and a dunk. Durant scored seven quickly, and Reed Sheppard sparked a 10-0 run with back-to-back threes. For a moment, it looked like Houston might run away with it.
But Chicago responded with confidence, pushing the pace behind Tre Jones, who couldn’t miss. The Bulls refused to double Durant, spread the floor, and moved the ball. Houston turned it over eight times in the first half, got outworked on the glass, and allowed Chicago to rack up hustle points. By halftime, the Bulls had flipped the script and taken a 60-57 lead, outscoring Houston by eight in the second quarter.
After the break, Houston came out sharper, more direct, and far more physical. Alperen Şengün anchored everything. He finished plays inside, created opportunities out of traffic, and kept possessions alive.
When he missed a dunk early in the third, Amen Thompson cleaned it up and then took over the tempo. Okogie followed with a reverse layup and a spin-and-slam, tying the game and igniting a run fueled entirely by paint touches.
Houston’s first 14 points of the third quarter came at the rim.
Durant did what he’s been doing lately, scoring when the game demands it. He poured in 12 in the third, keeping things steady during a stretch filled with lead changes. By the time the fourth arrived, the Rockets had found their footing.
Chicago adjusted by doubling Durant, but Houston stayed controlled. The Rockets took care of the ball- just one turnover in the entire second half- and let the game come to them.
Jabari found his moment, knocking down three straight shots, including two threes, to stretch the lead. Amen kept attacking, drawing fouls and calmly knocking down all six free throws he earned.
The Bulls cooled off late, shooting just 39-percent from the field and 4-of-11 from deep in the fourth, while Houston stayed composed, connected, and disciplined.
Şengün finished with 23 points, seven rebounds, and 11 assists. Durant added 28, ten boards, and four assists with just three turnovers. Amen notched 23, making this the seventh of the last eight games he’s broken 20, all while impacting every aspect of the game. In a night with 35 lead changes and 19 ties, Houston won the stretch that decides games.
At home, that’s becoming a habit.