The Houston Rockets continued their impressive march towards a playoff spot by defeating the Chicago Bulls 127-117, marking their seventh consecutive win during Thursday’s NBA action.
Jalen Green scored 26 points, while Dillon Brooks contributed 23 points before an on-court altercation led to his ejection.
“Good to get back to playing good basketball,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka reflected on the team’s recent performance. “Now you want to ride that momentum and just keep tightening the rope and do a little bit more every game.”
The Rockets have showcased their determination, going 9-1 in March and now trailing Golden State by just 2.5 games for the final play-in spot in the Western Conference. This winning streak is their longest since 2021, rekindling hopes for a strong finish to the season.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Houston Rockets, DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls Updates
The game took a contentious turn in the third quarter when Dillon Brooks was ejected following an altercation with DeMar DeRozan, who was also ejected for a flagrant foul. The incident sparked discussions on court conduct and player reactions.
“Had a great game, great impact, wish he didn’t get ejected but like I said I don’t mind him standing up for his guys,” Udoka remarked, appreciating Brooks’ contribution and spirit despite the ejection.
Bulls interim coach Billy Donovan expressed his surprise at the outcome of the altercation, highlighting the unintended consequences of intense gameplay.
“Anytime you lose good players it’s never good. I don’t think DeMar’s intention was to get a flagrant 2, certainly it was fouling and of course flagrant 1 and they’re shooting a free throw. I don’t think that was ever his intention was to do that. I actually was a little surprised that it got elevated to a flagrant 2, personally.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Houston Rockets, DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls Updates
Crew Chief Curtis Blair provided an official explanation, emphasizing the reasoning behind the decisions made on the court regarding the incident.
“DeRozan was assessed a flagrant foul penalty 2 because the contact was excessive and unnecessary,” Blair explained. “Because Brooks escalated the situation, therefore he was given a technical foul and ejected.”
Despite Brooks’ absence following the altercation, the Rockets maintained their composure and finished the quarter on a high note, extending their lead and showcasing the depth of their bench.
“Really outplayed their bench,” Udoka said, praising the contributions from the reserves, which proved pivotal in maintaining the lead and securing the win.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Houston Rockets, DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls Updates
Jock Landale, Aaron Holiday, and Jeff Green provided valuable minutes off the bench, contributing to Houston’s balanced attack. On the Bulls’ side, Ayo Dosunmu stood out with 35 points, and Nikola Vučević recorded his 40th double-double of the season.
As both teams look ahead to their next matchups, the Rockets aim to continue their winning ways, while the Bulls reflect on their performance and prepare to bounce back.
