In his first game since being traded to Houston, Victor Oladipo was electric with 32 points and nine assists on Monday. He shot 13-of-23 from the field (56.5%), including 4-of-9 on 3-pointers (44.4%), and big man Christian Wood backed him with 30 points and 9 rebounds.
Unfortunately for the Rockets, those individual numbers weren’t quite enough in a 125-120 loss (box score) to the host Bulls. Led by 33 points from Zach LaVine and 18 from and 18 by Lauri Markkanen, Chicago (6-8) was blistering hot from 3-point range, making 20-of-45 (44.4%) as a team. Both LaVine and Markkanen hit four 3-pointers.
It’s the second-straight loss overall for the Rockets, who remained short-handed for yet another game with rotation regulars John Wall (left knee soreness). Danuel House Jr. (self-isolation), and Sterling Brown (right lower leg soreness) all sidelined with injury or health concerns.
Oladipo’s 32 points were the second-most ever by a Houston player making his debut, trailing only James Harden — the man he was traded for. That could offer hope for better days ahead, especially as he gains more chemistry with his new team and players such as Wall return.
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Then again, at 4-8 and with four losses in their last five games, the standings in a highly competitive Western Conference could soon become a big concern, if they aren’t able to turn things around quickly.
See below for a rundown of postgame reaction from Chicago.
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