Sengun Records Triple-Double, VanVleet Scores 28 in Rockets 143-107 Rout of Bulls
Rockets Dominate Bulls in Second Half
The Houston Rockets routed the Chicago Bulls 143-107 on Sunday night, thanks to a strong second half performance. Fred VanVleet scored a season-high 28 points, while Alperen Sengun recorded a triple-double with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. The Rockets’ fifth consecutive win was fueled by a dominant performance in the paint, where they outrebounded the Bulls 66-47.
Second-Half Surge
The Rockets struggled early on, shooting just 40.9% from the floor in the first half. However, they found their rhythm in the second half, shooting 52.4% (55 of 105) from the field. The team was led by VanVleet and Sengun, who combined for 28 points in the third quarter alone. The Rockets’ bench also played a significant role, with Amen Thompson scoring 16 points and grabbing 11 rebounds off the bench.
Bulls Struggle Offensively
The Bulls, on the other hand, struggled to find their footing on offense. They shot just 33.6% (36 of 107) from the field and were led by Zach LaVine’s 15 points. Talen Horton-Tucker scored 12 points off the bench, but it wasn’t enough to keep the Bulls competitive.
Takeaways
* The Rockets improved to 8-2 when outrebounding an opponent.
* The Bulls dropped their second straight and third in four games.
* Houston set a season-high for points in a quarter, scoring 41 in the second.
Key Moment
LaVine’s free throws tied the game at 36-36 with 4:06 left in the second quarter. However, the Rockets responded with a 32-16 run to take a 68-52 halftime lead. They started the third quarter with an 11-0 run and blew the game open to 108-78 after 36 minutes.
Key Stat
The Rockets set a season-high for points in a quarter, scoring 41 in the second. They followed up by scoring 40 in the third.
Up Next
The Rockets play at Milwaukee on Monday, while the Bulls face the Pistons in Detroit.
Conclusion
The Rockets’ dominant performance in the paint and strong second-half surge led to their fifth consecutive win. VanVleet and Sengun were instrumental in the victory, with the duo combining for 48 points and 22 rebounds. The Rockets will look to continue their winning streak when they face the Bucks on Monday.
FAQs
Q: Who led the Rockets in scoring against the Bulls?
A: Fred VanVleet scored a season-high 28 points.
Q: Who recorded a triple-double for the Rockets?
A: Alperen Sengun had 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists.
Q: What was the Rockets’ record when outrebounding an opponent coming into the game?
A: The Rockets were 7-2 when outrebounding an opponent coming into the game.
