Rockets Edge Bulls in Thrilling Matchup at Toyota Center

HOUSTON, Texas — The Houston Rockets achieved their sixth consecutive victory at the Toyota Center by narrowly defeating the Chicago Bulls 117-114 on March 15, 2025. On the second night of a back-to-back, the Rockets emerged triumphant after starting the game slowly.

Despite facing fatigue, the Rockets managed to rally in the second half, showcasing resilience against a formidable Bulls squad that arrived with a four-game winning streak.

The Bulls controlled the game early, holding a lead through much of the first half. With a strong performance led by Coby White, who contributed 23 points, Chicago jumped out to a 29-22 advantage by the end of the first quarter, largely due to their hot shooting from beyond the arc.

“That was one of the toughest games we’ve played lately,” said Alperen Şengün, who scored 24 points. “But it ended up finishing good. We played yesterday, so we were a little bit tired. But we just got the win.”

Led by Jalen Green, who topped all scorers with 28 points, Houston fought back in the second quarter. Green’s critical late-game efforts included a game-sealing layup in the final seconds, helping the Rockets maintain their lead as the contest came to a close. Green’s performance was instrumental in the victory, particularly down the stretch.

“If it’s not him, it’s going to be me or Fred,” Şengün added about their late-game success. “We communicate a lot, we trust each other a lot. I think (the success) is coming from that.”

Despite the victory, Houston’s performance had its struggles. The Rockets displayed lackluster ball control early on, which contributed to a total of 11 turnovers by the final buzzer. Head coach Ime Udoka noted the importance of securing possessions.

“The only thing on our side that hurts us is a quick shot that we miss and obviously hit the three to get it to a one possession game,” he said. “Just got to pull that out, break the press and use the clock.”

The Bulls’ excellent shooting from three-point range gave them a chance, as they started 7-for-12 from beyond the arc in the first quarter. However, their momentum faltered, and they ended up making just 1-for-8 from three-point territory in the second quarter, which allowed Houston to close the gap.

“Just being aggressive,” said point guard Fred VanVleet, who returned from injury to score 23 points, about his strategy during the game. “Didn’t start the greatest again, but just trying to find my rhythm after being out for a while.”

The Rockets’ bench also stepped up, contributing important points and maintaining pressure on the Bulls throughout the game. VanVleet, who hit four 3-pointers during the match, showcased a glimpse of his pre-injury form as he wrapped up the first half with 21 points.

As the Rockets continued to push into the fourth quarter, they relied on the experience and agility of their players. The final stretch saw intense exchanges as both teams fought hard for a critical win as they jockey for playoff positioning.

With this victory, the Rockets improved their season record to 43-25 and solidified their spot in the playoff race, now sitting second in the Western Conference standings.

As they prepare for a crucial matchup against the Denver Nuggets next week, Houston will be focused on correcting the mistakes that nearly cost them victory against Chicago.