On December 27, 2024, Beijing time, the Houston Rockets won a fierce match against the New Orleans Pelicans with a score of 128-111, further consolidating their rise in the Western Conference. Despite the absence of key players Zion and Ingram from the Pelicans, the Rockets demonstrated strong team collaboration and individual abilities throughout the game. In particular, the outstanding performances of Jalen Green and Fred VanVleet gave the Rockets' offense a significant boost. On the other hand, the Pelicans struggled offensively and failed to make timely adjustments defensively, ultimately leading to their defeat. Game Review: From the start of the game, the Rockets quickly established a lead, with Green and VanVleet's outside shooting providing stable scoring support for the team. Green showcased his offensive talent in the first half, hitting several crucial three-pointers and contributing a total of 30 points. VanVleet not only contributed 25 points but also made key steals and rebounds on defense. The interior protection provided by Alperen Sengun and Bruno Fernando was also crucial, helping the Rockets establish a strong defensive front under the basket. Although the Pelicans fought tenaciously under the leadership of CJ McCollum, they were unable to find their rhythm on offense due to the absence of their main players. Especially in the third quarter, the Pelicans attempted to close the gap by strengthening their defense, but the Rockets' quick counterattacks and accurate three-point shots kept the Pelicans from getting close to the score. Despite McCollum scoring 18 points throughout the game, his inefficient performance on the court directly affected the overall play…

The Christmas Day game has concluded with the Nuggets losing to the Suns by a score of 100-110. The match was filled with ups and downs; the first quarter had a close score, the second quarter remained competitive, the Suns took control in the third quarter, and although the Nuggets played well in the early part of the fourth quarter, they made frequent mistakes and their shooting accuracy dropped significantly, ultimately leading to their defeat. In terms of statistics, Jokic scored 25 points, grabbed 15 rebounds, dished out 2 assists, and made 2 steals, while Westbrook put up an impressive stat line of 17 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 4 turnovers. Porter contributed 22 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 turnovers, and Murray added 13 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists with 4 turnovers. In fact, the two teams have faced each other before, with the Suns losing by a significant margin of 27 points. However, in this game, it was unexpected that the Nuggets were unable to come out on top. Looking at the entire game, the Nuggets lost primarily due to four reasons. Firstly, they had a high number of turnovers, with a total of 16, mainly in the latter half of the fourth quarter, which led to their downfall. Secondly, the Nuggets' outside shooting was severely off, with only 8 successful shots out of 29 attempts. Thirdly, the Suns clearly had experience dealing with Jokic and focused on cutting off his connection with his teammates. Despite Jokic's ability to score high points, he was unable to effectively…

Here it comes! Lakers' 3 first-round trades are here! Snatching from the Warriors, Thunder, and Nuggets!? Heavy news! Here it comes! Here it comes! Here it comes! They really came! The Lakers' interested team strides towards us with a strong pace, proudly and confidently! They are full of sincerity, with a majestic demeanor and money in their pockets!! Money! Money! Money! Important things need to be repeated three times! NBA insider reporter Xiao S talked about the Lakers' potential trade situation on a show. "My sources within the Lakers' management told me that they are willing to put out those (three first-round draft picks) in potential trades, but they hope to get one or more players they believe can immediately integrate into the current team, and continue to play under Coach Redick's guidance for the next 3-5 years." Yes, those three first-round picks that were cherished like treasures, the Lakers have finally decided to put them up for trade. In the past, many teams coveted the Lakers' three first-round picks, only to be rejected by the Lakers without mercy. Those three first-round picks were the last hope of the Lakers' village, the final bottom line, as valuable as LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and no one could sway them. However, two consecutive years of No. 17 draft picks made the Lakers realize the reality. One Xi Fei was not even as good as the crown prince and was directly sent to the cold palace, while one Ke Zong only looked beautiful, and the most pleasant surprise was the undrafted rookie…

As an annual highlight in the NBA, the Christmas Day games feature either championship contenders or teams with high fan appeal, ensuring that participating teams receive significant exposure. Players strive to perform at their best in these globally televised events, as such opportunities are rare, with many never experiencing it throughout their careers. Given the intense focus on both ends of the court during Christmas Day games, achieving impressive statistics becomes more challenging. Throughout history, only ten players have managed to record a triple-double in a single Christmas Day game, with six of them currently active in the league. Let's take a look at these six active players who have accomplished this feat. Austin Reaves (2024) In a game against the Warriors, Reaves scored 26 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and dished out 10 assists. Since being given a chance by the Lakers as an undrafted player, Reaves has consistently improved, exceeding expectations. In the 2023 playoffs, he averaged 16+4+4 and even 20+ in the Western Conference Finals, solidifying his trust within the team. Despite occasional fluctuations in form over the past two seasons, the Lakers have remained committed to his development, even considering him untouchable at times. This season, Reaves is averaging 17.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.1 steals, demonstrating his progress while handling a significant workload. In the Christmas Day game against the Warriors, he proved himself a clutch player by scoring 26 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and dishing out 10 assists, including a crucial layup to nearly seal the game, becoming the tenth player in history…

The Houston Rockets defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 128-111 in a recent game. Jalen Green and Van Jordan had outstanding performances, while Whitmore, coming off the bench, became a key player, effectively filling the void left by the absence of Ison. The contrast between Whitmore (referred to as the "White Wizard") and Shepherd was particularly evident, with Shepherd scoring only 1 point in 18 minutes, while Whitmore scored 27 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal in 26 minutes, shooting 9 for 16 from the field and 4 for 8 from three-point range. Coach Udoka's positioning of the two players is somewhat similar. Previously, when Whitmore was in the G League, Shepherd averaged only 10 minutes per game. His main task was not to come off the bench as a backup point guard but to be used as a spot-up shooter, with the ball still in the hands of Van Jordan and Shen Jing. However, Shepherd has too many passes that shift responsibility because he is afraid to shoot and plays safe to maintain stability. Defensively, Shepherd's physique does not meet NBA standards, and it can be said that whenever teams face the Rockets, they single out Shepherd for one-on-one play. Offensively, Shepherd lacks tactical status, and even if given tactics, his body cannot execute them. Defensively, he has become a weak point. Currently, Shepherd really needs to go to the G League for training. This is not to look down on Shepherd, but rather to say that if you force him to stay with the Rockets, you cannot…

As a commercial league, only NBA teams with relatively high traffic can be scheduled to play on Christmas Eve, and the Lakers vs. Warriors game is undoubtedly one of the most watched matchups in recent years. Historically, the team that has participated in the most Christmas games is the Knicks, with 56 appearances. New York is considered the most prosperous city in the United States, and even the Lakers have participated in fewer Christmas games than the Knicks, with 50 appearances. The Warriors have played 33 times, and it's worth noting that the Warriors were the inaugural champions of the NBA. Their team has always had a rich history and never lacked star players, such as Wilt Chamberlain, Rick Barry, Paul Arizin, Nate Thurmond, and Stephen Curry, all of whom are well-known figures. Being scheduled to play on Christmas Eve is enough to demonstrate that the league also places great importance on the influence of the Nuggets. Historically, the Nuggets have participated in the Christmas games 9 times, and both Carmelo Anthony (Sweet Melo) and the current Nikola Jokic have been periods of focus for the league. Some fans believe that Westbrook's ability to surpass Harden and Shaquille O'Neal in scoring during the Christmas games is entirely due to the influence of Jokic on the Nuggets, and that Westbrook is simply reaping the benefits. However, in fact, Westbrook's number of fans across the United States ranks just behind James, Durant, and Curry. It is well known that LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and Kyrie Irving are the…

Curry: Only 4 People in NBA Truly Influenced the World, I'm Not Qualified Yet! The NBA has become the highest level of basketball competition not only because of its massive scale and successful commercialization but also largely due to the existence of superstar players. With their exceptional skills and personal charm, these superstars have accelerated the development of basketball and expanded the influence of the NBA worldwide. Recently, Stephen Curry, the star player of the Golden State Warriors, discussed his four most influential NBA players in an interview. He claimed that these four players made significant contributions to the development of basketball and their influence reached a truly global level, which he believes he is not yet qualified to be compared with. Let's take a look at the legendary stars in Curry's mind. Jordan Jordan holds an unshakable position in basketball history, just like Pele in football and Bolt in track and field, he is a benchmark figure in the industry. In Jordan's career, he won six championships and was elected Finals MVP each time, won five regular season MVPs, and ten scoring titles. It is precisely because of his unparalleled dominance that Jordan is also known as the "Basketball God." It is no exaggeration to say that Jordan made the NBA truly go global, and basketball has thus become one of the most popular sports in the world. Kobe Kobe is the representative of the NBA's one-man-one-city, he dedicated his entire 20-year career to the Los Angeles Lakers and brought them five championship trophies. Kobe's playing style is elegant…

The focus of the NBA Christmas Day game was undoubtedly the matchup between the Lakers and the Warriors, with top-tier stars LeBron James and Stephen Curry both scoring over 30 points, delivering an exciting game for the audience. Ultimately, the Lakers emerged as the winners and took the opportunity to improve their ranking to sixth in the Western Conference, while the Warriors' ranking dropped to tenth. Due to a significant gap in performance from the top of the Western Conference, the Thunder, both teams hope to optimize their rosters. The Warriors' general manager, Bob Myers, hopes to maximize their advantage of strong shooting ability by focusing on adding shooters. The Lakers hope to add a quality frontcourt player to alleviate pressure on Anthony Davis in the paint. In comparison, the Rockets, ranked second in the West, have a better competitive situation, but general manager Rafael Stone stated in an interview with Jonathan Feigen of the American media "Houston Chronicle" that he will not miss any opportunity to strengthen the team's lineup. Recently, American media "BR" suggested that the Warriors, Lakers, Rockets, and Nets should discuss a four-team trade proposal. If negotiations progress smoothly, Kuminga is expected to join James in Los Angeles, while C-Johnson will go to Golden State to assist Curry. The specific trade plan is as follows: The Warriors send Jonathan Kuminga + Li Kair + Kevin Looney to receive Cameron Johnson. The Lakers send Hood-Sefcik + Christian Wood + the Lakers' 2029 first-round pick + the right to swap first-round picks in 2030 to receive Jonathan Kuminga.…

James Harden and Michael Jordan at the age of 35: A comparison that highlights the differences in their careers. Recently, I wrote about James Harden and Dwyane Wade, both at the age of 35, as they are top-tier shooting guards in the league. Now, let's talk about Harden and Jordan at 35. One is still writing his legend, while the other is a legend himself. At 35, Harden is in the twilight of his peak years, having played 15 seasons in the NBA since the 2009 season. He has amassed numerous accolades, including MVP, assists leader, sixth man of the year, and scoring champion. The only regret is the lack of a championship title, despite having two opportunities with the Rockets that fate did not favor him with. Throughout his career, Harden has been known for his high basketball IQ, ability to play within the rules, and comprehensive skill set, including step-back threes and various Euro-steps. His main weakness is underperforming in crucial moments, with solid regular-season leadership but faltering in the playoffs. This season, at 35, Harden averages 22.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, 8.3 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, with shooting percentages of 39.1%, 35.3%, and 88.9%. He has accumulated a total of 24,693 points in his NBA career so far. Jordan, on the other hand, started playing in the NBA in 1984, spending 13 seasons with the Bulls and 2 with the Wizards. In his 13 seasons with the Bulls, he won 10 scoring titles, an efficiency unmatched in NBA history. His skills were virtually flawless, described as…

On December 27th, Beijing time, we continue to focus on the NBA league. In the Christmas Day game between the Mavericks and the Timberwolves, Doncic suffered a calf injury in the second quarter and had to withdraw from the game. Subsequently, after examination by medical institutions, it was confirmed that Doncic suffered a left calf strain and will undergo a re-examination in a month. Before leaving the game, Doncic played for 16 minutes, shooting 9 of 5, 3-pointers 5 of 3, free throws 1 of 1, scoring 14 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal. Currently, the Mavericks are ranked fourth in the West with a record of 19 wins and 11 losses. Irving just said they were building a dynasty, but now Doncic is injured, which will have a significant impact on the team's performance. The situation in the West changes every day, and with their star player out for at least a month, the Mavericks are likely to fall behind. Let's also pay attention to the Lakers, which makes fans very helpless. According to NBA reporters, the Lakers missed a rare opportunity before the trade window. Originally, the Lakers had a chance to get Valanciunas, similar to the Warriors and Schroder's trade, almost a sure thing. However, unfortunately, at a critical moment, the Lakers failed to act in time and missed the opportunity to trade with Valanciunas. Currently, the distance between the Lakers and Valanciunas is growing further apart, and fans are very disappointed. But for now, the Lakers have to focus on Vucevic of the Bulls.…