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Chicago Bulls overcome the Houston Rockets in overtime for third straight win

Originally posted on Chicago Bulls on SI | By Nick Raguz | Last updated Jan 11, 2024 6:26 AM ET

The Chicago Bulls rallied from a five-point deficit in overtime to defeat the resilient Houston Rockets in overtime, 124-119, on Wednesday at the United Center. The win was the Bulls’ third in a row, raising their record to 18-21.

Coby White continued his meteoric rise this season as he scored 30 points, including a clutch triple late in overtime that gave the Bulls a 123-119 lead with 1:04 to go. Zach LaVine also got it going, as he had his best game since returning from a foot injury, tallying 25 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists, and three steals.

Nearly blew it

The Bulls led by as much as 16 in the fourth quarter, 101-85, with nine minutes to go in regulation. However, the Rockets stormed back and tied the game at 112-all after a layup by star center Alperen Sengun.

DeMar DeRozan had a shot to put the Bulls back in front but missed a 19-footer at the end of the fourth. Jabari Smith also missed a long three-pointer that would have won the game for the Rockets.

It was an epic collapse for the Bulls as they got outscored 27-11 in those last nine minutes.

LaVine to the rescue

The Rockets kept the pressure up as Sengun scored five of the team’s first seven points in the extra session to shove them in front, 119-114. But LaVine calmly completed a three-point play and drained a triple to give the Bulls a 120-119 lead. The Bulls found Coby White for an open triple for a 123-119 advantage, time down to 1:04.

The Bulls’ defense finished the job, keeping the Rockets scoreless the rest of the way.

This article first appeared on Chicago Bulls on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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