HOUSTON — Delivering another thrilling performance, Jalen Green notched 28 points to propel the Houston Rockets to their sixth consecutive win, narrowly defeating the Chicago Bulls 117-114 on Saturday night.
Green’s efforts also included six rebounds, contributing to the Rockets’ success. Alperen Sengun was another standout for Houston, posting a double-double with 24 points and 15 rebounds. Fred VanVleet demonstrated his shooting prowess, adding 23 points from an 8-for-20 field goal attempt, including 5-of-14 from beyond the arc, while completing 2-of-4 from the charity stripe.
On the Bulls’ side, Coby White emerged as the leading scorer with 23 points, supplementing his performance with seven rebounds and four assists. Tre Jones also contributed significantly, finishing with 19 points and six assists.
During a crucial second quarter, VanVleet shone with an 18-point contribution for Houston, although they found themselves trailing by five, 65-60, at the break. However, the Rockets surged back in the fourth quarter, reclaiming the lead permanently when Green nailed a 3-pointer at 5:52, pushing them ahead 100-98.
**Takeaways**
Bulls: This defeat ended their four-game winning streak. It marked the beginning of an extensive six-game road campaign. Josh Giddy was absent from the lineup due to an ankle concern, yet White overcame a toe issue to start.
Rockets: Tari Eason’s absence due to injury management led to Jabari Smith Jr.’s entrance into the starting five. The team boasts an impressive 25-10 home record. VanVleet’s first-half contribution was pivotal, tallying 21 points, including a buzzer-beating fadeaway 3-pointer.
**Key moment**
Green’s pivotal 3-pointer not only established a lead for Houston at 100-98 but also sparked a run that included a layup and sustained their advantage through the final minutes.
**Key stat**
A significant factor in the Rockets’ victory was their dominance on the boards, outrebounding the Bulls by a margin of 18 (54 to 36).
**Next up**
The Rockets are set to host the 76ers on Monday, aiming to extend their winning streak even further.
Meanwhile, the Bulls will continue their road journey as they head to face the Jazz on Monday.
