Read More: Joakim Noah (C – CHI), Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets

Shooting guard Rip Hamilton is back and the Chicago Bulls have a lead against the Houston Rockets at halftime, a day after being blown out against the mighty Oklahoma City Thunder. Chicago will take a 51-40 lead into the halftime at the United Center led by a very strong half from center Joakim Noah. The Bulls were behind by as many as eight points earlier in the game.

Noah has 12 points, four rebounds and three blocks on 6-of-7 shooting from the field. Luol Deng has eight points and four rebounds. Hamilton has six points and three assists. John Lucas III (six points) and Kyle Korver (five points) also played well for Chicago off the bench.

Goran Dragic has 13 points for the Rockets. Power forward Luis Scola has 10 points and five rebounds. Marcus Camby has eight points and six rebounds for Houston at the half.

For more on this game, stay with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, visit Blog a Bull and for more on the Rockets, head over to The Dream Shake. For news, notes and analysis from around the league, check out SB Nation’s NBA news hub.

The Houston Rockets are doing all they can to bring a NBA championship home this season. With April marking the final month of the NBA season, a strong showing is necessary for ideal NBA Playoff positioning. Look for Kevin Martin, Kyle Lowry, and Luis Scola to come up big in their final push.

Check with your service provider for channel listings in your area. With NBA League Pass, Rockets’ fans across the nation can catch every game and witness every play.

Note: All start times Central

April 2012

Sun 1, Indiana Pacers at Houston Rockets, 6 p.m. (FSN-HOU)

Mon 2, Houston Rockets at Chicago Bulls, 7 p.m. (FSN-HOU, NBATV)

Fri 6, Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers, 9:30 p.m. (FSN-HOU, NBATV)

Sun 8, Houston Rockets at Sacramento Kings, 8 p.m. (FSN-HOU, NBATV)

Mon 9, Houston Rockets at Portland Trail Blazers, 9 p.m. (FSN-HOU)

Wed 11, Utah Jazz at Houston Rockets, 7 p.m. (FSN-HOU)

Fri 13, Phoenix Suns at Houston Rockets, 7 p.m. (FSN-HOU)

Sun 15, Houston Rockets at Denver Nuggets, 7 p.m. (FSN-HOU)

Mon 16, Denver Nuggets at Houston Rockets, 7 p.m. (FSN-HOU)

Wed 18, Houston Rockets at Dallas Mavericks, 7:30 p.m. (FSN-HOU)

Thu 19, Houston Rockets at New Orleans Hornets, 7 p.m. (FSN-HOU)

Sat 21, Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets, 7 p.m. (FSN-HOU)

Sun 22, Houston Rockets at Miami Heat, 5 p.m. (FSN-HOU, NBATV)

Thu 26, New Orleans Hornets at Houston Rockets, 7 p.m. (FSN-HOU)

Sources:

All data provided by NBA.com

Paul Rados is a Cleveland based freelance sportswriter and Featured Contributor for the Yahoo! Contributor Network. Follow him on Twitter @PSRados or leave him a message on Facebook. For a complete look at his freelance work please visit his Blog.

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.