Jalen Green achieved 26 points, Dillon Brooks contributed 23, and three substitutes recorded double-digit scores as the Houston Rockets extended their winning streak to seven games by defeating the visiting Chicago Bulls with a score of 127-117 on Thursday.

Jock Landale secured 17 points and 12 rebounds, while Aaron Holiday scored 15 points and Jeff Green accumulated 14 points and seven rebounds coming off the bench for Houston. Brooks completed 10 of 13 shots before getting ejected, as the Rockets (34-35) shot at a 50.5 percent accuracy from the field.

Ayo Dosunmu notched a career-best 35 points to lead the Bulls (34-36), with all five starters reaching double figures, including Nikola Vucevic (16 points, 14 rebounds, six assists). Coby White returned after missing three games due to injury and scored 13 points in 29 minutes as a substitute. Chicago had won three of their last four matches.

Despite almost losing a 19-point lead in the second quarter, Houston regained command after a scuffle between Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan and Brooks in the middle of the third quarter, with the Rockets leading by eight.

DeRozan committed a forceful foul on Jalen Green at the 6:02 mark, triggering an altercation between Brooks and DeRozan, resulting in both players getting ejected. This incident spurred the Rockets to elevate their performance, finishing the quarter with successful 3-pointers from Fred VanVleet, Jeff Green, Jalen Green, and Holiday, with VanVleet adding another trey during the run.

Chicago failed to mount a response in the final period. Jalen Green sealed his steal with a fast-break dunk to establish a 114-103 lead. When the Bulls reduced the deficit to seven late in the game, Landale grabbed an offensive rebound, scored while being fouled, and converted the three-point play, extending the lead to 10 with 69 seconds left.

The physicality of the first quarter changed when Holiday joined the game. He nailed consecutive 3-pointers, followed by a pullup jumper, and then Brooks made a steal leading to a transition dunk, propelling the Rockets to a 38-24 advantage with 1:11 remaining in the quarter. This surge was part of a 12-0 run that allowed the Rockets to widen their lead to 16 points, which Chicago reduced to 42-28 by the end of the quarter.

After extending their lead to 50-31, Dosunmu spearheaded a Bulls’ resurgence. He scored 13 points in the second quarter, and his step-back 3-pointer brought Chicago within 56-53 with 3:36 left in the half. Despite missing 10 of 13 attempts from beyond the arc in the quarter, late 3-pointers by Jeff Green and Jalen Green ensured Houston maintained a 68-61 halftime lead.