Rockets Roll Into Chicago: Is Sengun the Key to a Deep Playoff Run?

The Rockets are flying high, and frankly, it's a little surprising. Remember when everyone wrote them off after James Harden bolted? Well, Ime Udoka has Houston playing some tough, physical basketball, and they’ve been a force since the All-Star break. They roll into Chicago tonight sitting fourth in the West at 43-27, a far cry from the lottery team many pegged them to be.

Look, the Bulls are in a tough spot. They're 28-42, 12th in the East, and basically playing out the string. DeMar DeRozan is still putting up numbers – he had 27 points and 8 assists against the Blazers last week – but it’s not enough. Their loss to Portland, a team way below them in the standings, pretty much sums up their season. They just can't seem to find consistency, especially on defense, where they've given up 115 points or more in three of their last five games.

Form and Stats

But tonight’s game isn’t about the Bulls. It’s about Alperen Sengun. The kid is special. He’s averaging 21.3 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 5.1 assists, and he’s just 21 years old. Houston’s whole offense flows through him. They run more post-ups for him than almost any other big man in the league. That’s a lot of trust in a young guy, but he delivers. He dropped 23 points, 19 boards, and 14 assists in a triple-overtime thriller against the Jazz back in December, a game they still won 132-126. That’s the kind of performance that tells you he’s got that "it" factor.

Here's the thing: Sengun isn't just a scorer. He’s a legitimate playmaker from the high post, and that's what makes the Rockets dangerous. Fred VanVleet and Jalen Green get open looks because defenses have to collapse on Sengun. Green, in particular, has been on a tear, scoring over 20 points in 10 straight games, including a 41-point outburst against the Wizards on March 19. That's no coincidence. Sengun’s gravity opens everything up. And they’ve been feasting on teams below .500, winning 15 of their last 18 against those types of opponents.

Now, the Bulls do have Nikola Vucevic, who can give Sengun a challenge on the block. Vuc had 26 points and 12 rebounds against the Lakers last month. But can he keep up with Sengun's passing and overall offensive creativity? I doubt it. The Rockets are playing with house money right now. No one expected them to be this good this fast. They've got the fourth-best defensive rating in the league since February 1, allowing just 107.8 points per 100 possessions. Udoka has them locked in.

Key Factors

My hot take? The Rockets are not just a playoff team; they're a legitimate threat to make the Western Conference Finals. Sengun is that good, and the pieces around him are gelling perfectly. The West is wide open this year, and Houston has the grit and the star power to surprise some people. Tonight’s game against a struggling Bulls team is just another stepping stone.

Tonight, Houston wins by double-digits, and Sengun puts up another stat-stuffing performance, reminding everyone why he’s one of the brightest young stars in the league.