Normally the Rockets scoring 124 in regulation time would signal a win. Normally, though, the team wouldn’t give up 41 points in the first quarter, while only scoring 21 points themselves. That’s truly awful offense AND defense. The deficit would grow to over 22 points, but the Rockets, to their credit, did in fact come back in this one, and take the lead in the fourth quarter*.
This game, though, definitely had a “Make or Miss” aspect to it. The Bulls shot 38 three pointers and made 19 of them for
a robust 50% average. The Rockets shot 41 three pointers (Wow!) and made 11 of them (Wow…) for a less than robust 27%. The Bulls shot 28 free throws and made 23 of them for 82%. The Rockets shot 24 free throws and made 15 of them, for 63%. Those are the kind of numbers that will rarely get it done on either end of the court. And yet the Rockets almost did get it done. If not for a late flurry of made three pointers by the Bulls the Rockets might well have won this one.
That we’re talking about the Rockets valiantly coming back from way behind to the 28-42 Bulls is a bit sad, but the Bulls do have a solid offense. Though they’re not a good team, the Bulls offense is second in the NBA in pace, and averages 116 points per game, two points per game better than the Rockets 114. They’re much better with Josh Giddey in their lineup as well, as he’s missed around 25 games this season, and is probably their best player. They won’t make their usual play in game assignment with Atlanta and Miami, but that’s likely due to the aforementioned absence of Josh Giddey, rather than a steep fall from mediocrity. All this to say, the Bulls aren’t terrible and are at least a good to decent offense.
The game ended up wasting very good efforts from Alperen Sengun, who scored 33pts on an impeccable 16-19 shooting, including 1-3 from three point range, along with 13 rebounds and 10 assists to two turnovers, as well as two steals and a block. The past few games have seen a return to Alpie looking more like the All Star and often dominant player. Some of this might be a return to health, and some other factors might play into it as well, to be covered elsewhere.
Amen Thompson, due to Reed Sheppard starting again, played off ball, and spent much of his time as a pure downhill attacker, without point guard responsibilities, and in the dunker’s spot, where he’s simply a terror. He scored 23 on 8-12 shooting, went 7-9 from the free throw line, mostly from attacking into contact, added 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. This was one of the best looking overall Thompson games I’ve seen in a while.
Kevin Durant, also largely freed of initiating the offense from the exact same place, the exact same way, every time, scored a mere 40 points, going 15-23, 5-10 from three, adding 7 rebounds, 5 assists (to 4 turnovers) and nearly won the game with clutch makes down the stretch, before being called for a real, but ticky tack, push off on an inbounds play late, when the Rockets still had a chance to comeback.
On the negative side in terms of scoring were Reed Sheppard and Jabari Smith. The two combined to score 19 points in 70 minutes. Reed was 5-17 shooting overall, and an uncharacteristic 3-14 from three point range. He added 5 rebounds, 6 assists, but had 4 turnovers, as well as 4 stocks (2 each). It wasn’t an awful game from Reed, and I think his presence with the starters has helped enable some of the great games we’ve seen recently from Sengun, Amen and KD. But he’s still a raw PG, and the learning curve remains steep.
Jabari was just not good tonight. He didn’t score until late in the game, and was 2-10, 1-7 from three point range, and only managed 5 rebounds. Worse still was Tari Eason, whose slump has turned into a full on collapse. I hope it’s a health issue, as he’s shooting 31% for the month of March, and about 8% from three point range, on 33 attempts. Yes, eight percent.
The near unplayability of both Tari and Dorian Finney-Smith is really hurting the Rockets. JaeSean Tate made a return tonight, and the Rockets need him. Why Josh Okogie got only 3 minutes tonight, despite the clear ineffectiveness of Eason and DFS in 20 minutes combined is another Ime Mystery. Josh is shooting 40% from three this season, and is a good defender. The Rockets bench contributed next to nothing.
The season is winding down, and every win is crucial for playoff position. The Rockets needed to get it done tonight, and almost doesn’t do that, despite the comeback being a lot of fun to watch. There might be something happening with the offense, but with 11 games left, it had better happen quickly.
The Rockets head to Minnesota to play the Timberwolves, who have also been slumping lately. That win would get them the tiebreaker with the Wolves.
