ROCKETS DEFEAT BULLS
DeMar DeRozan, Dillon Brooks ejected from game after on-court scuffle in Houston
Mar 22, 2024, 9:39 am
Rockets beat the Bulls, 127-117. Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images.
Chicago's DeMar DeRozan and Houston's Dillon Brooks were both ejected after being involved in an on-court scrum in Thursday night's game between the Bulls and the Rockets, which Houston won 127-117.
With 6:02 remaining in the third quarter and the Rockets leading 84-75, Jalen Green was bringing the ball up the court when DeRozan came off a screen and hip-checked him, which sent Green down to the court in pain.
“I think there was some contact on some drives, some fouls, previous calls that were not called,” Bulls interim coach Billy Donovan said. “Obviously, DeMar jumped off of that screen and fouled Green."
Brooks took exception and immediately approached DeRozan, who had his back turned to him. DeRozan turned and looked to have elbowed Brooks in the chin, which caused the two to lock arms. Teammates tried to break it up.
“I didn't love it being that he got elbowed,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said of Brooks' ejection. “He walked over and didn't say anything crazy. But they say the rules are the guy that kind of instigates it to get it to that step after DeRozan did what he did, he got suspended because of that.”
The scrum grew with team staff and security attempting to intervene. Torrey Craig got involved and he and Brooks fell to the ground after tripping over a security guard who had fallen.
After the scrum had been cleared the situation reviewed, the initial foul by DeRozan was ruled a flagrant foul 2 and he was ejected. Brooks was given a technical foul and ejected for his role.
“I don’t think DeMar’s intention was to get a flagrant 2, certainly it was fouling and of course flagrant 1 and they’re shooting a free throw,” Donovan said. "I don’t think that was ever his intention was to do that. I actually was a little surprised that it got elevated to a flagrant 2, personally.”
Udoka added about Brooks: “Had a great game, great impact, wish he didn’t get ejected but like I said I don’t mind him standing up for his guys."
Brooks left the game at the time with a team-leading 23 points on 10-of-13 shooting for Houston, while DeRozan exited with 16 points on just 4-of-15 shooting in 23 minutes.
Crew Chief Curtis Blair spoke to the pool reporter after the game.
“DeRozan was assessed a flagrant foul penalty 2 because the contact was excessive and unnecessary,” Blair said. “Because Brooks escalated the situation, therefore he was given a technical foul and ejected.”
Why the Texans were smart to deal John Metchie for Harrison Bryant
Aug 19, 2025, 3:28 pm
The Astros will need a bounce-back performance Tuesday night in Detroit after dropping the series opener in lopsided fashion. Houston (69-56) has managed to stay atop the AL West (1.5 game lead), but recent struggles on both sides of the ball have left little margin for error as the season winds down.
Hunter Brown gets the ball for Houston, and few pitchers have been more reliable in 2025. The right-hander enters at 10-5 with a 2.45 ERA, a 1.00 WHIP and 164 strikeouts — numbers that have made him an anchor of an otherwise up-and-down staff. His challenge, however, is no small one. Across the mound, Detroit counters with Tarik Skubal, who is putting together one of the best seasons of any pitcher in the league with an 11-3 record, 2.42 ERA, and 190 strikeouts.
The Tigers (74-53) come in with momentum, owning a 40-24 record at home and winners of seven of their last ten. Their pitching has been a backbone all season, ranking fourth in the American League in ERA at 3.81. Detroit also holds a 1-0 edge in this series after Monday night’s rout, though the season set remains tied at two games apiece.
Astros' secret sauce
For Houston, the formula is simple — score early and often. The Astros are 41-7 when pushing across at least five runs, but they’ve been stuck in a rut lately, hitting just .212 over their last 10 games while their pitching staff has posted a 5.87 ERA.
Jose Altuve continues to be a steady presence in the lineup with 22 homers and 64 RBIs, while Jeremy Peña will look to build on flashes of power despite going just 7-for-36 over his past 10 games. For Detroit, Gleyber Torres and Riley Greene have carried the offense of late, with Greene driving in eight runs over his last 10 contests.
First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m. EDT at Comerica Park, where the Astros will try to even the series and keep their hold on the AL West lead intact.
Betting odds
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Tigers -172, Astros +143; over/under is 7 runs
Roster moves
The Astros have recalled RHP Logan VanWey and designated RHP Tayler Scott for assignment after a rough outing against the Tigers.
We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/u8VC1GZJbc
— Houston Astros (@astros) August 19, 2025
Starting lineups
The first thing that jumps off the page is that the Astros are sending all right-handed hitters to face Skubal.
Diesel in Detroit.
⚾️: 5:40 PM CDT | 6:40 PM EDT
📺: @SpaceCityHN | @TBSNetwork (HOU blackout)
🎙️: @SportsTalk790 | Spanish: 93.3 FM#BuiltForThis x @reliantenergy pic.twitter.com/GqZth9VfJm
— Houston Astros (@astros) August 19, 2025
Nothing unusual with the top four being Pena, Correa, 'Tuve, and Walker. Yainer Diaz will catch and hit fifth, followed by Ramon Urias (2B), Mauricio Dubon (LF), Cam Smith (RF), and Chas McCormick (CF).
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