Rockets Stuff Bulls, Win Game Number 61

HOUSTON, TX — James Harden took a night off Tuesday, yet the Houston Rockets still crushed the flailing Chicago Bulls, 118-86, at the Toyota Center. The win improves the Rockets to an NBA-best 61-14 record and, coupled with Golden State's home loss to Indiana, Houston needs just two wins to clinch home-court advantage throughout the NBA Playoffs.

The win extends Houston's current win streak to 10 games, and the 61 wins improves their franchise record with seven regular-season games remaining.

Eric Gordon scored a team-high 31 points to lead the Rockets. After the Bulls scored the game's first bucket, Gordon nailed a 3-pointer to give the Rockets a lead they'd never relinquish. Houston led, 31-23, at the end of the first quarter and 60-39 at the half.

Chris Paul had 13 points and 10 smooth assists and Trevor Ariza scored 21.

Houston, which has already clinched the Southwest Division title, leads the Golden State Warriors (54-20) by six and a half games. The Rockets have seven games remaining while the Warriors have eight. Should the Warriors lose two more games, which is possible with Steph Curry out with an injury, then the Rockets would clinch the NBA's best record.

Houston will host the Phoenix Suns (19-56) on Friday at 7 p.m. at the Toyota Center. Buy tickets here.

(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)