The Bulls’ record 41-point first quarter wasn’t enough to avoid a nail-biting finish, but Matas Buzelis’ clutch layup with 10.2 seconds left sealed a 132-124 win that also let the Spurs clinch the Southwest Division.
Matas Buzelis drove for a game-winning layup with 10.2 seconds remaining, lifting the Chicago Bulls to a chaotic 132-124 victory over the Houston Rockets on Monday night. The win, secured after a massive early lead nearly evaporated, came with a significant Western Conference side effect: San Antonio’s rout of Miami allowed the Spurs to clinch the Southwest Division (AP News).
The Record First Quarter and Near-Collapse
The Bulls (29-42) unleashed a season-high 41 points in the opening frame, building a commanding 20-point advantage that seemed to portend an easy night. This offensive explosion, confirmed by AP News, was their highest-scoring quarter of the season and their best first quarter since 2019.
But the Houston Rockets (43-28) chipped away relentlessly. After trailing by 17 at halftime, the Rockets seized their first lead on a Jabari Smith Jr. 3-pointer with 5:56 to play. Chicago found itself down by four late, forcing a frantic finish that required Buzelis’ decisive drive to finally put the game away.
Kevin Durant’s Fourth Quarter Masterclass
Kevin Durant authored a spectacular fourth quarter, scoring 15 of his game-high 40 points in the final frame. He finished 15-of-23 from the field (65.2%), continuing a remarkable efficient stretch—this was his ninth consecutive game shooting 50% or better, the third-longest such streak of his legendary career (AP News).
Durant’s scoring barrage nearly overcame Chicago’s early dominance, but the Bulls’ bench depth ultimately helped blunt his heroics.
Collin Sexton’s Bench Spark
While Collin Sexton started the scoring barrage with 17 first-quarter points, he finished with a team-high 25 points off the bench. His energy and shooting provided the consistent offensive threat Chicago needed to supplement their hot start.
Leonard Miller added 17 points, while Jalen Smith, playing through an ankle injury that forced him to miss the previous game, tied his season high with 15 points in just 26 minutes off the bench, also grabbing six rebounds and blocking two shots.
Division Consequences and Spurs Clinch
Houston’s loss, combined with San Antonio’s dominant 136-111 victory over Miami, allowed the Spurs (54-18) to lock up the Southwest Division title (AP News). This development shifts the Western Conference playoff race, cementing the Spurs’ position as a top-tier seed while adding pressure to the Rockets’ remaining schedule.
Udoka’s Ejection and Sheppard’s Starter Struggles
Rockets coach Ime Udoka was ejected after receiving his second technical foul with just 9.1 seconds left, an emotional end to a frustrating night. The loss also highlighted the early stages of a lineup experiment: second-year guard Reed Sheppard inserted into the starting lineup helped Houston win two straight before Monday, but he struggled mightily, shooting 3-for-14 from 3-point range.
Alperen Sengun scored 33 points for Houston, and Amen Thompson added 23, but their efforts weren’t enough to overcome the early deficit or Durant’s supporting cast’s inconsistencies.
Looking Ahead
The Rockets will attempt to rebound when they visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday. The Bulls, clinging to their play-in hopes, head east to face the Philadelphia 76ers in a critical matchup.
Neither team can afford many more nights like this—Chicago’s vulnerability after big leads or Houston’s difficulty maintaining comebacks—as the season hurtles toward its climax.
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