DENG WATCH: Tough road trip for Luol Deng and the Chicago Bulls

Things don’t look to be getting any easier for Luol Deng and the Chicago Bulls as they continue to sit in mid-table in the NBA Eastern Conference.

Without star guard Derrick Rose, the Bulls are clearly struggling, and Wednesday’s loss at Houston saw them have a losing record for the first time in two years.

That 93-89 loss in Texas saw Deng facing former GB coach – and current Rockets’ assistant coach Chris Finch – and it was the former Sheffield Sharks play-caller who came out on top despite Nate Robinson netting 13 of his season-high 21 points in the fourth quarter.

Deng scored 19, but was limited to three-from-14 shooting from the floor after half-time, although he did add ten points for a double-double in 42 minutes of action.

A slight reprieve saw the Bulls hold off the Milwaukee Bucks 93-86 to break a three-game losing streak on Saturday night.

Chicago out rebounded the Bucks 54-40 including 20-10 on the offensive boards, but the real number was the seven offensive rebounds the Bulls claimed in the final five minutes as they pulled away to victory.

Deng hit five of his 14 field goal attempts, finishing with 14 points, eight boards and a couple of assists in 41:34 playing time.

That win saw Bulls level their record at 6-6, and they are now ninth in the Eastern Conference.

After hosting the Bucks on Monday evening, Bulls remain at home to face Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday and Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday.