A Win So Big, Ime Udoka Smiled
This one will be short, because the Rockets took care of business in Chicago in a big way tonight, 143-107.
The game started fairly equally, with neither team looking better in the first quarter. The Rockets managed to win it 27-26, and perhaps it could have been more if the Rockets had made some bunnies at the basket, and made more free throws as well. The Chicago offense was operating successfully against the Rockets, giving up a lot of open looks.
What we did see that looked good at the beginning of the game was all the Rockets starters having decent offensive night. Particularly Fred VanVleet. It woudl only get better.
The Rockets leads ballooned late in the 2nd quarter, as rather than closing a quarter or especially a half, poorly, the Rockets pulled away. It wasn’t the Terror Twins doing it either. Both Amen Thompson and Tari Eason were called for fouls for what looked like legitimate defense rather than fouls. They didn’t play as much, or do as much as might be hoped.
But Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr. started to break the game open late in the 2nd quarter. Especially VanVleet who would finish the night with 28pts/7rbs/7ast/1stl against 1 TO on 10-16 shooting and 3-6 from three. The Bulls weren’t closing the paint, and Fred strolled in to score frequently, as well as making his three pointers. The half ended with the Rockets up 68-52.
Would there be a third quarter collapse that let the Bulls back into the game? Quite the opposite. The Rockets started the second half scoring 9 straight, and the rout was on from there.
The late third quarter and all of the fourth were garbage time, and essentially every Rocket played. The Rockets had 108 points at the end of the third quarter, which saw the starters play their regular shift, but nothing in the 4th. The Bulls had only managed 78 points going into the 4th.
The fourth quarter was garbage time, which saw rookie Reed Sheppard launch, and make, four three pointers. It saw Jack McVeigh finally make a shot (but not a three, those were way off). It saw every Rocket on the bench play at least five minutes, except Cam Whitmore, recently up from the Rio Grande Vipers, who played zero minutes, despite being available.
Maybe that was predetermined, with the Rockets playing down the road in against the Bucks in Milwaukee tomorrow night? We will see.
In any case, the end of the game was a stroll for the Rockets, and Ime Udoka seemed to spend it smiling and laughing. We now know what will make that happen. A complete blowout.
A few notes.
- Alperen Sengun recorded his second straight triple double, and the highest +/- score, evidently of any two back to back triple doubles at +70 for the Clippers and Bulls games. He had 20pts/11rbs/11ast/2blk on 9-16 shooting.
- Dillon Brooks had a good night on both ends of the court, going for 15pts/3rbs/2ast/2stl on 7-13 shooting.
- Jabari Smith Jr went 4-8, with 8rbs and an assist.
- Jalen Green played a good bit with the second unit and Reed Sheppard, which is still a work in progress. He offered 18pts on 6-9 shooting, 4rbs, 1ast, 1stl.
- No Rocket starter played more than 28 minutes tonight.
- Tari Eason was hampered by foul trouble, and wanting to shoot it whenever he touched it.
- Amen Thompson had a good night at 16pts/11rbs/5ast/1 (vicious) blk in 22 minutes.
- Reed finally shot the three tonight, scoring 12 on 4-5 shooting from 3. He attempted a massive dunk on a breakaway but couldn’t quite manage it. Still, he let it fly, and it went in, which is a good sign.
The Rockets play again tomorrow again the Bucks. If they can do the same to Milwaukee, maybe the Bucks could be paying five coaches at once? We can dream.