The Rockets (18-18) have opened their longest road trip of the season (six games) with two straight losses with Wednesday’s 124-119 overtime setback (box score) versus the Chicago Bulls (18-21).
The Bulls had one of their best nights of the 2023-24 season on 3-pointers, making 19-of-47 from distance (40.4%). Point guard Coby White led the way with 30 points and 8 assists, and he hit 6-of-11 from beyond the arc (54.5%). Going into the game, Chicago ranked among the NBA’s bottom 10 teams in both 3-point makes and accuracy.
Houston shot 11-of-45 on 3-pointers (24.4%), headlined by an unusually cold 3-of-14 night (21.4%) by Fred VanVleet. For the Rockets, it was an exhausting, gut-punch loss after rallying back from a double-digit deficit late in the fourth quarter to force overtime.
After a scoreless first half, Alperen Sengun was breathtaking with 25 points on 11-of-19 shooting (57.9%). He dished 9 rebounds and 5 assists, and Sengun’s flurry late in the fourth quarter and at the start of overtime gave the Rockets a 5-point lead with less than three minutes left to play.
But Houston was outscored 10-0 to finish overtime, and Sengun didn’t get a shot attempt on either of the next two possessions as Chicago grabbed a lead the home team wouldn’t relinquish.
Other Rockets in double figures included:
- Fred VanVleet: 20 points, 10 assists, 6 rebounds
- Jabari Smith Jr.: 18 points, 15 rebounds; 7-of-14 shooting (50%), 4-of-9 on 3-pointers
- Cam Whitmore: 16 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals; 6-of-12 shooting (50%), 2-of-5 on 3-pointers (40%)
- Jalen Green: 18 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds; 8-of-19 shooting (42.1%), 2-of-7 on 3-pointers (28.6%)
The Rockets were again short-handed, with Dillon Brooks (right oblique strain) and Tari Eason (left lower leg soreness) still sidelined.
Here’s our look at highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. Houston continues its road trip Friday in Detroit (3-35), where the tip is set for 6:30 p.m. Central.
Jan. 10 Rockets-Bulls reaction
Bulls shoot 87% from the line, 40% from 3 (19 makes).
Rockets shoot 60% from the line, 25% from 3 (11 makes).
Bulls win.
Needed to involve Sengun more from the start, and they couldn't find a way to defend pick and rolls well all night. Heartbreaking loss. Lotta effort.
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) January 11, 2024
Rockets fall in Chicago, which is a really tough loss. Some silver linings:
— Jabari Smith Jr (18p-15r) played almost 48 of the game's 53 minutes and was terrific on both ends of the floor (+8)
— Alperen Sengun shook off a scoreless first half to hit 11 of his final 14 shots,…
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) January 11, 2024
Ime Udoka was straight and to the point about Alperen Sengun tonight: "He played one half of basketball, basically. He decided to show up at halftime and exerted himself the way he normally does. You saw the player that he is (in the second half)."
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) January 11, 2024
The difference between Sengun through the first 2-3 quarters to now is night and day. He's dominating right now. pic.twitter.com/Q0C6s2XTzV
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) January 11, 2024
Jabari stays all over DeRozan and the Bulls strike out pic.twitter.com/rj4Qdzgfu3
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) January 11, 2024
Jalen had 8 assists in that second half sheesh
— Madison Moore (@MadManLeaks) January 11, 2024
How can we copy that mentality we saw in the 4th and OT .. from tip off.. cause people blame Ime for guys being passive .. but then crickets when they play aggressive… Sengun is going to have to understand he can’t be average.. he has to be good for us to win games. What a game!
— Apathetic (@ftank58) January 11, 2024
Rockets didn’t score a single point in the last 2:50 seconds. Sengun needed someone to help him in OT
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) January 11, 2024
Adds up to Bulls 124, Rockets 119 in OT. A game both teams can feel they let get away, first Bulls in 4th but then and ultimately Rockets. https://t.co/FX9DQpUNUJ
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) January 11, 2024
Except by his own teammates, apparently. https://t.co/ZLY99gebcH
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) January 11, 2024
FINAL: Bulls 124, Rockets 119.
Houston came back from down 16 at the beginning of the fourth quarter to force OT, but was done in by more Chicago 3s. Alperen Sengun had a helluva last 20 minutes, finishing with 25 points and nine boards.
— Danielle Lerner (@danielle_lerner) January 11, 2024
Alperen Sengun has led an incredible #Rockets comeback.
He's 10-of-11 shooting since halftime.
Flat out dominating the game.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) January 11, 2024
Sengun is the alpha. Whew.
— JLS IV (@Slotter) January 11, 2024
Nice job by Jabari Smith Jr. on several fourth quarter possessions staying down on DeRozan. One of the ways he has improved in his second season — the know your personnel discipline.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) January 11, 2024
Give Sengun all the credit in the world. He could have folded after that first half but he has come out on fire in the second half
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) January 11, 2024
Jabari Smith tonight:
– 18 PTS
– 15 REB
– 1 AST
– 1 BLK
– 7/14 FG
– 4/9 3P
– 64.3 TSTwo absolutely insane defensive stops on DeMar DeRozan. #Rockets pic.twitter.com/c31GJ4GRHx
— ᵂᴵᴸᴸ (@BiasedHouston) January 11, 2024
Cam Whitmore is looking like a major steal for the Rockets.
After this iso 3 he's now making 44.8% of 3s with Houston after making 38.9% of 3s in 13 G League games. Impressive start for the 20th pick. pic.twitter.com/G45iTIDmHD
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) January 11, 2024
#Rockets didn't win, but very important development game for Cam Whitmore who was in the closing lineup in Q4 and OT. That is really good experience for him and shows Ime trusted him. 📈
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) January 11, 2024
The numbers for Alperen Sengun tonight:
1st Half: 0 points, 0-5 FG, 0-2 FT
2nd Half + OT: 25 points, 11-14 FG, 3-6 FT https://t.co/M6U6ATyKKI pic.twitter.com/X21nNEUAaB
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) January 11, 2024
#Rockets lose to the Bulls 124-119 in OT
Cam Whitmore season high in minutes (33) and points (16)@HoustonRockets road trip continues Friday in Detroit pic.twitter.com/s5BKDbyNPE
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) January 11, 2024
