The Houston Rockets are coming off a 127-117 win over the Chicago Bulls on Thursday, which wasn’t without controversy, as Dillon Brooks and DeMar DeRozan were both ejected after a heated altercation.
As Jalen Green brought the ball up midway through the third period, DeMar DeRozan gave him a hard body check as he was hedging a screen set by Dillon Brooks. Green crumpled to the floor after contact, and Brooks immediately confronted DeRozan since he took exception to the foul.
Both benches came in to prevent a potential free-for-all between Brooks and DeRozan, and it’s a good thing that the cooler heads prevailed. Jalen Green also got up and he finished the game after the incident.
DeMar DeRozan got tossed after being assessed with a Flagrant Foul 2, while Brooks was also given his marching orders after the hostile confrontation. DeRozan finished the game with 16 points on 4-of-15 shooting, while Brooks had 23 points on 10-of-13 from the field.
Jock Landale offered a timely reminder for Dillon Brooks amidst the Houston Rockets’ play-in push
Believe it or not, the Houston Rockets are the hottest team in the NBA right now because they have won seven straight games, and they are keen to prolong their winning streak for as much as they can because they’re fighting for a spot in the play-in tournament.
Right now, the Houston Rockets are 11th in the Western Conference standings with a 34-35 record and have 13 games left to get the job done.
With that said, Jock Landale knows the importance of having all hands on deck, especially with Alperen Sengun already sidelined, which is why he wasn’t thrilled with Dillon Brooks’ ejection against the Chicago Bulls.
“Dillon Brooks, if you’re listening, this ain’t Memphis, man,” said Landale, who had 17 points, 12 rebounds, five rebounds, and two blocks against Chicago. “Stop getting yourself ejected. We need you out here. We need that physicality.”
Dillon Brooks is tied with Luka Doncic for most technical fouls this season with 15, and he is on pace to match his total of 18 in his last season with the Memphis Grizzlies. If he gets his 16th technical, he will serve a one-game suspension.
