Chicago -- After trailing 20-27 at the end of the first quarter, the Houston Rockets unleashed a blistering 66-40 spurt in the second and third quarters to take care of business away from home on Saturday night (Sunday morning RP time).
James Harden fired a total of 42 points, including 9-of-19 from 3-point distance. Russell Westbrook added 26 while Clint Capela chipped in 16 points and 20 rebounds as Houston dumped the host Chicago Bulls, 117-94, at the United Center.
Houston chalked their third win in a row by sinking 34 of 83 field goals and 19 of 44 from three-point land. In contrast, the Bulls swished 37 of 98 shots overall but they were a horrendous 4-for-32 outside the 3-point arc.
"They made their shots and we didn't. They made shots in the third (quarter) and we didn't," a frustrated Bulls head coach Jim Boylen told reporters at his post-game press conference.
Adding to the Bulls woes was the fact that none of their starters scored more than 13 points while star Zach LaVine was held to 5-of-17 shooting for a mere 11 points. If it were any consolation, the reserves accounted for 34 markers.
After a sluggish start which saw some challenges incorporating Russell Westbrook in their high-powered offense, the Rockets have improved to the 6-3 and third overall in the Western Conference behind the 7-2 Denver Nuggets and the robust 7-1 Los Angeles Lakers.
The Bulls, meanwhile, continue to struggle finding traction in this young season. This loss comes at the heels of an impressive road win in Atlanta two days ago.
At 3-7, the Bulls are 13th place overall in the Eastern Conference.
7-foot Tyson Chandler, an 18-year veteran who spent his first five NBA seasons with the Bulls, answers a reporter's questions.
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