The Houston Rockets entered Monday hoping that unexpected time (thanks to two delays related to a winter storm) would enable them to push the reset button after a long losing streak.
Against Zach LaVine and the emerging Bulls, it didn’t quite happen that way. Chicago (14-16) triumphed for the fourth time in five games with a 46-point burst in the third quarter with a 46-point burst with the 120-100 result from the Toyota Center on Monday. This is the eighth consecutive loss for the Rockets (11-18), all since the re-injury of Christian Wood’s right ankle.
The last time Houston had a longer losing streak than eight games was a 15-player early in the 2000-01 season.
LaVine led Chicago’s balanced effort by 21 points, reaching 4-of-6 from 3-point (66.7%). Meanwhile, fullback Coby White recorded a game-high 24 points and grabbed 10 hits. David Nwaba led Houston by 22 points, drawing a career high and 9 rebounds.
The Rockets were again undermined, with two entrees in Wood and Victor Oladipo (tension of the right foot). Still, the regular players who did play were not nearly good enough. Veteran John Wall (15 points, 7 assists) shot just 4-of-14 overall (28.6%), while fullback Eric Gordon (13 points) 5-out-18 (27.8%) and 1- shot out-10 at 3. indicators (10.0%).
Houston returns to Cleveland on Wednesday, with tipoff at 6:30 p.m. For now, here’s a collection of highlights and reaction to the game after Monday’s poor performance.
Stephen Silas
David Nwaba
Eric Gordon