Convenience Big Store: Rockets' comeback lacks finishing kick against Bulls

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Today's starting lineup

The Rockets made a spirited comeback Wednesday night in Chicago, but too much that went wrong leading up to and during overtime doomed them in a loss to the Bulls.

How C.J. Stroud and his fellow Texans teammates sans postseason experience are approaching their first playoff test. Ahead of Saturday's game against the Browns, Jonathan M. Alexander answers readers' Texans questions in his weekly mailbag. Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, in his first public remarks since getting head coaching interest from other teams, says he's "grateful." What the writing on C.J. Stroud's wrists during each game means. Franchise icon J.J. Watt takes a veiled shot at former Texans executive Jack Easterby.

The Astros announce game times for the 2024 season, which will open with a day game against the Yankees.

Not that UH's basketball team didn't already know, but the Cougars got confirmation this week that the Big 12 won't be a cakewalk.

There's a seismic change in college football as Alabama coach Nick Saban, arguably the best of all time, announces his retirement.

Stat of the day: 15. Seasons out of 17 at Alabama that Nick Saban had a team ranked No. 1 at least once.

Greg Rajan, Texas Sports Nation editor

greg.rajan@houstonchronicle.com

Rockets / NBA

Houston Rockets' Alperen Sengun (28) drives to the basket past Chicago Bulls' Zach LaVine (8) and Nikola Vucevic during overtime in an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, in Chicago. The Bulls won 124-119. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Photo by: Charles Rex Arbogast, Associated Press

Lacking finishing kick

The Rockets made a comeback to force overtime, but their mistakes leading up to and during the extra session proved too much to overcome during Wednesday's loss in Chicago.

Done in from distance: The Rockets struggled in defending the 3-point line as their road woes continued Wednesday in a loss to the Bulls.
Going on the defensive: Jalen Green admits to having bad habits on defense in his first two seasons but is buying in to Ime Udoka's coaching and learning defense is a "pride thing."

Texans / NFL

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) stands on the sidelines in the last few minutes of the fourth quarter against the Tennessee Titans in the second half of NFL game action at NRG Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023 in Houston. Houston Texans won the game 26-3.

Photo by: Elizabeth Conley, Staff Photographer

Ready for their first

Nearly half of Houston's starters have never been in an NFL postseason, but coach DeMeco Ryans has a simple message: Just play good football.

Playoff mailbag: Jonathan M. Alexander answers readers' Texans questions ahead of Saturday's playoff showdown against the Browns.
Practice report: Jonathan Greenard, Will Anderson Jr. and Jerry Hughes missed practice Wednesday as the defensive line continues to be short-handed.
Appreciate the interest: Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik speaks publicly for the first time about the head coaching interest he's drawn this week.
So let it be written: Before each game, C.J. Stroud scribbles several messages on the tape wrapped around his wrist. The Texans quarterback explained what each writing means.
J.J. gets cryptic: When Pat McAfee made a joke about failed Texans executive Jack Easterby, J.J. Watt appeared to pile on with his own statement.

Astros / MLB

Houston Astros players celebrate with Alex Bregman after scoring on designated hitter Yordan Alvarez's RBI single in the first inning during Game 4 of the American League Championship Series at Globe Life Field on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023, in Arlington. Bregman hit an 2-RBI triple early in the inning.

Photo by: Karen Warren/Staff Photographer

Save the date (and time)

A midweek day game against the Yankees will begin the Astros' 2024 season, which will include two games in Mexico and 22 different teams visiting Minute Maid Park.

College Basketball

Photo by: Charlie Neibergall, Associated Press

In rugged terrain

Now part of an upper-crust league with Kansas, Texas, Baylor and other stout squads, UH couldn't have expected life to remain the same in the Big 12, writes Cougars insider Joseph Duarte.

No. 10 Texas women 72, TCU 60: Madison Booker scored 21 points and Taylor Jones had 13 as No. 10 Texas beat TCU.

College Football

Photo by: Mark J. Terrill, AP

Saban calls it quits

Nick Saban, who won seven national titles and turned Alabama back into a national powerhouse that included six of those titles in just 17 seasons, announces his retirement from coaching.

Setting the standard: As Nick Saban walks away from coaching, his Alabama dynasty helped fuel the Southeastern Conference's unprecedented dominance in college football over the past 20 years.