With Kevin Porter Jr. delivering a statement performance, the Houston Rockets (10-23) snapped a five-game losing streak with authority in Monday’s 133-118 win (box score) at Chicago.
In arguably the best game of the 2022-23 NBA season to date for Houston’s starting lineup, Porter found plenty of support in Chicago from Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Sengun.
The impressive statistics for Houston’s young quartet included:
- Porter: Season-high 36 points on 14-of-22 shooting (63.6%) and 6-of-12 on 3-pointers (50%); 9 assists, 7 rebounds, 2 turnovers, plus-13 plus/minus differential in 39 minutes
- Green: 24 points on 9-of-15 shooting (60%) and 6-of-10 on 3-pointers (60%); 6 rebounds, 3 assists, plus-16 in 35 minutes
- Sengun: 25 points on 10-of-12 shooting (83.3% FG), 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocks, plus-24 in 32 minutes
- Smith: 13 points on 6-of-14 shooting (45.5%), 8 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks, plus-15 in 31 minutes
In a losing effort, DeMar DeRozan led the host Bulls (14-19) with 31 points and 10 assists on 11-of-18 shooting (61.1%).
Scroll on for Monday’s highlights, analysis and postgame interview reaction from Chicago’s United Center. Houston’s three-game road trip hits the midpoint in Tuesday’s game in Boston on night two of a tough back-to-back, with tipoff scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Central.
Highlights
Analysis and Interviews
This trio was dominant tonight for the #Rockets in the 133-118 win in Chicago:
Sengun: 25 points on 10-12 FG (!), 11 rebounds, 6 assists
KPJ: 36 points on 14-22 FG (!), 9 assists, 7 rebounds, only 2 turnovers
Jalen Green: 24 points (6-10 3P), 5 rebounds pic.twitter.com/IzLj3dT21X
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) December 27, 2022
KPJ COOKED HIM 😭
JOIN: https://t.co/7TuHKQV5sk pic.twitter.com/f0xgrXuJ5K
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) December 27, 2022
Kevin Porter Jr has had such a well rounded game tonight. Better reads in pick and roll, some big time 3s, excellent rim attacks…
This might just be his best performance of the season.
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) December 27, 2022
KPJ and Sengun developing chemistry?
SUBSCRIBE
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) December 27, 2022
KPJ throwing out absolute DAGGERS
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) December 27, 2022
Tonight is the perfect example of how KPJ/Jalen/Sengun can all coexist and thrive together.
KPJ off-ball impact, LOTS of catch-and-shoot opportunities
Playing more through Sengun to make life easier for Jalen/KPJ
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) December 27, 2022
Tonight is the perfect example of how KPJ/Jalen/Sengun can all coexist and thrive together.
KPJ off-ball impact, LOTS of catch-and-shoot opportunities
Playing more through Sengun to make life easier for Jalen/KPJ
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) December 27, 2022
Rockets-Bulls Thoughts:
1. KPJ took care of the ball & got a ton of catch-and-shoot looks. Also excelled playing off ball
2. Sengun’s efficiency is insane. He draws double teams that open things up for everyone else
3. Jabari & Jalen were in excellent rhythm
4. Tari was great
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) December 27, 2022
JALEN GREEN IS ON FIRE 🔥🔥🔥
JOIN: https://t.co/7TuHKQV5sk pic.twitter.com/Zw4MjFwYr5
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) December 27, 2022
Stephen Silas’ Rockets snap a five-game losing streak, winning in Chicago 133-118. Rockets were up 18 in the first quarter, down 7 in the third, up 17 in the fourth, win by 15. pic.twitter.com/NB5daMe2KC
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) December 27, 2022
This young duo outplayed the Bulls veteran duo of Lavine and Derozan pic.twitter.com/e2y6ScpLY5
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) December 27, 2022
Stephen Silas:”We have a competitive group,probably tired of losing,disappointed w/how we finished the homestand.A group of good guys who want to do the right things.We did have a good energy tonight.We’re going to enjoy it for just a little while b/c we’re about to go to Boston”
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) December 27, 2022
Lost amid Rockets best shooting game of the season, they outrebounded the Bulls by 10, the 5th time in 7 games they have outrebounded opponents by 10 or more and 12th time this season. They outrebounded opponents by double digits seven times in the past 2 seasons combined.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) December 27, 2022
.@JalenGreen, with the media after the game, on why their chemistry was so good: “I think we got tired of losing.”
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) December 27, 2022
#Rockets BEAT the Bulls 133-118
Alperen Sengun put on a show in front of his dad who is visiting from Turkey
25 PTS / 10-12 FG / 11 REB / 6 AST / 2 BLK@alperennsengun talked with our @SportsVanessa after the WIN@HoustonRockets on AT&T SportsNet pic.twitter.com/l44Esody41
— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) December 27, 2022
