Fred VanVleet led the Houston Rockets to a commanding 143-107 win over the Chicago Bulls, scoring a season-high 28 points. The victory, Houston’s fifth straight, showcased their dominance on both ends of the court.
Alperen Sengun recorded his second triple-double of the season with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists.
The Rockets outperformed Chicago in the paint, securing 66 rebounds compared to the Bulls’ 47, and shot an impressive 52.4% from the field.
Houston’s bench also contributed heavily, with Amen Thompson adding 16 points and 11 rebounds despite battling right quad soreness. Jalen Green chipped in 18 points, as all five starters finished in double figures.
Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 15 points, while Talen Horton-Tucker provided 12 off the bench. However, Chicago struggled throughout, shooting just 33.6% from the field and allowing a season-high 143 points to Houston.
The game was competitive early, with LaVine’s free throws tying the score at 36 midway through the second quarter. Houston then took control, closing the first half on a 32-16 run to lead 68-52. They extended the gap with an 11-0 third-quarter burst, finishing the frame ahead 108-78.
The Rockets continued to press offensively, setting a season-high for points in a quarter with 41 in the second and following it up with 40 in the third.
Houston’s dominance wasn’t limited to offense. Their rebounding prowess and aggressive defensive effort held Chicago to just 25% shooting from three-point range.
For the Bulls, Sunday’s loss marked their third in four games. Chicago’s defense was unable to contain Houston’s versatile offense, and their own shooting woes compounded the deficit. Key players like Nikola Vucevic and Coby White were held to single digits, limiting the team’s scoring options.
Chicago, now 5-9, will need to regroup quickly to address defensive lapses and inconsistent scoring as they look to rebound from the lopsided defeat.
The Rockets, meanwhile, continue to build momentum, improving their record to 10-4 and positioning themselves as one of the hottest teams in the league.
