NBA: Seven Bulls reach double figures in victory over Rockets

Collin Sexton scored 25 points and Matas Buzelis added 23 as seven Chicago Bulls players reached double figures in a 132-124 victory over the Houston Rockets on Monday.

Chicago (29-42) overcame a blown 22-point first-half lead to secure the win against Houston (43-28). The Bulls scored 14 of the game's final 20 points to pull away.

The Rockets staged a second-half comeback, using a 38-17 run spanning the third and fourth quarters to take a 112-108 lead with 5:16 remaining. Jabari Smith Jr. hit a three-pointer moments earlier to give Houston its first lead since Kevin Durant scored on the opening possession.

Despite the loss, Houston had strong individual performances. Durant scored 40 points, while Alperen Sengun recorded a triple-double with 33 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists. Amen Thompson added 23 points, and Reed Sheppard contributed 13. Durant and Sengun combined to shoot 31-for-42 from the field.

Chicago regained control late thanks to Buzelis, who sank five three-pointers, while the team’s depth helped build an early advantage. Leonard Miller matched a career high with 17 points and nine rebounds, Josh Giddey had 15 points and 13 assists, Tre Jones and Jalen Smith each added 15 points, and Nick Richards contributed 11 points and eight rebounds.

Sexton had a hot first half, scoring 20 points and hitting four three-pointers to help the Bulls take a 65-48 lead into halftime. Chicago’s strong long-range shooting fueled a first-quarter lead of up to 20 points, marking the team’s highest-scoring opening quarter this season.

Houston struggled from deep, missing its first 14 three-point attempts and not connecting from distance until Durant scored with 3:41 remaining in the second quarter. Sheppard made a three-pointer on the Rockets’ next possession, but Chicago still held a +27 advantage from beyond the arc in the first half. At the break, Durant, Sengun, and Thompson each had 12–13 points.

Rockets coach Ime Udoka was ejected in the final seconds after receiving his second technical foul.

—Field Level Media/Reuters