The Los Angeles Clippers made an impressive comeback after the California wildfires, delivering an outstanding performance in their first game since the disaster. In their home game against the Miami Heat, the Clippers once again demonstrated their strong defensive capabilities while also showcasing an impressive offensive display. Notably, on the defensive end, the Clippers have already managed to hold their opponents to under 100 points in 11 games this season, boasting a record of 10 wins and 1 loss. In this particular match, James Harden continued to showcase his exceptional playmaking abilities. He scored 26 points with 17 attempts, dished out 11 assists, and added 5 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block, perfectly embodying what it means to be an all-around guard. Under his leadership, the Clippers' offensive firepower erupted. The most eye-catching performance came from Ivica Zubac. The Clippers' center dominated the paint, going 10 for 13 to score 21 points and grab 20 rebounds, along with 2 blocks. Remarkably, he achieved this without committing any fouls. According to statistics, the last player in the league to record 20 points, 20 rebounds, and 2 blocks in a game while maintaining a 60% shooting accuracy and zero fouls was the legendary Spurs center, Tim Duncan. Zubac's progress this season is undeniable. Averaging 15.1 points and 12.7 rebounds per game, with his rebound count ranking third in the league, speaks volumes. His shooting percentage stands at an impressive 62%, placing him fifth in the league. These figures represent career highs for Zubac. Harden's arrival has undoubtedly been a key factor in…

Despite the Houston Rockets traveling to the high altitude of Denver, the balance of victory tilted in their favor as two key players from the Nuggets, Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon, were declared absent. The Rockets indeed took an early lead, especially in the second quarter when they unleashed a 41-25 scoring spree, quickly rendering the game's outcome predictable. They ultimately secured a 20-point victory. Beyond winning the game, the Rockets experienced four pieces of good fortune. First, after easily defeating the Nuggets, the Rockets solidified their position as second in the Western Conference with this five-game winning streak. Considering their upcoming schedule and current form, barring any unforeseen circumstances or minor setbacks, it is highly probable that the Rockets will maintain a top-four spot in the West, or even hold onto their second-place position by the time the All-Star break arrives. The Rockets also managed to secure an early finish, allowing their starters to conserve energy for the second game of a back-to-back. This is crucial as the Rockets have just embarked on a series of consecutive away games. After facing the Nuggets in Denver, the team hurriedly traveled to Sacramento to play against the Kings, who, after a slow start to the season, have transformed under new management. Although the Kings lost their previous game against the Bucks, they had previously achieved a seven-game winning streak and are still in excellent form. Following the game against the Kings, the Rockets will face another challenge on the road against the Trail Blazers, making this period particularly demanding for the…

The Golden State Warriors have finally tasted victory after a long-awaited win against the Minnesota Timberwolves on the road, ending their losing streak. The Warriors' success today can be attributed to two factors: Curry's exceptional shooting from beyond the arc and their outstanding defense. In the first quarter, the Warriors' defense was particularly impressive, holding the Timberwolves to just 12 points. This game was quite rare for the Warriors, as we seldom see them leading by a large margin in the first quarter; they are often the trailing team. Their strong start in the first quarter gave them a cushion to absorb any subsequent scoring deficits, which might have otherwise led to another significant defeat. The Warriors' defensive transformation today is largely due to the return of a key defensive player, Payton Jr., who has been out with an injury for some time. Payton's return has had a significant impact on the Warriors' defense. With a broad defensive range, he not only defends against the opposing team's top scorer but also moves quickly to provide assistance and even block shots from the opposing center in the paint. His defensive presence on the court is all-encompassing. It is because of his efficient contributions on the defensive end that the Warriors were able to hold their opponents while launching counterattacks and compete offensively. Many fans believe that Payton is as important to the team as Green. While Green is the pillar of the Warriors' interior defense, Payton is one of the pillars of their perimeter defense, alongside Wiggins. They are the defensive…

On January 16, the NBA regular season witnessed a pivotal battle as the Warriors defeated the Timberwolves for the third time, securing a crucial positioning battle in 10th place! With only two victories separating the 6th to 12th positions, the competition for the play-in tournament is extremely fierce, making it challenging for the Suns and Warriors to break through. The Western Conference landscape has changed once again! Let's take a look at the summary of this game and the Western Conference standings! The Warriors' triple-killing of the Timberwolves was a key battle for the 10th position. Throughout the game, the Warriors started strong with consecutive three-pointers, leading 13-2. Diving into the paint, DiVincenzo scored to stop the bleeding. Under Curry's leadership, the Warriors continued their relentless attack, expanding their lead to over 20 points. The Timberwolves struggled offensively, scoring only 12 points in the quarter, while the Warriors won by 22 points! The Warriors led by 22 points at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, Hua Zi hit two three-pointers to halt the Warriors' momentum. Wiggins attacked the paint, and the Timberwolves tried to close the gap from both inside and outside. Hiller and DiVincenzo hit more three-pointers, and in the latter half of the quarter, the Timberwolves narrowed the gap to 10 points. Moody's three-pointer stabilized the situation for the Warriors. At halftime, the Warriors led by 13 points. After the break, both teams attacked the paint. DiVincenzo then erupted with consecutive three-pointers, bringing the Timberwolves within 7 points. Curry responded with a three-pointer, and…

Green and Amen are the Jordan Pippen of the Rockets. Amen activates Green, achieving mutual success. I once mentioned that Amen's ultimate template is Batman Pippen, a very versatile small forward. Currently, Amen is indeed playing outstandingly, but what I didn't expect was that after Amen started, there was a very good chemistry between him and Green. Recently, Green has been playing exceptionally well. Honestly speaking, Green's style of play is not the same as Shen Jing's, so they can partner up, but the effect is not always the best. Additionally, the original starting player, Xiao Jiali, is a stationary high-range shooter with much weaker ball-handling skills compared to Amen. Therefore, with Amen in the starting lineup, it's like the Rockets have three ball-handling points: Fan Jordan, Shen Jing, and Amen. This allows Green to play very flexibly, moving around screens, breaking through, shooting threes, and easily getting the ball. It leverages Green's agility and speed advantages, while Amen's cuts inside, defense, and ball-handling skills are also played excellently. Therefore, without Xiao Jiali playing, it actually activated Green. Nerve didn't perform well today, let's adjust for the next game! Shen Jing had a poor performance throughout today's game, feeling not very excited, which might be due to his low shooting percentage! Green made a 3+1 god-level shot but remained expressionless, as if something was on his mind! First of all, I want to clarify that I'm not slandering Shen Jing; Shen Jing and Green have a great relationship, and after Green fell during the game, Shen Jing was the first…

On January 16th, Beijing time, all NBA regular season games have concluded for the day. Let's take a look at the performances of the Western Conference teams and the latest standings! Western Conference Latest Standings The Thunder did not play today, maintaining their stable top position with a record of 33 wins and 6 losses, leading the Rockets by 6 games. The Rockets won big on the road against the Nuggets with a score of 128-108, securing their fifth consecutive victory. In this game, the Nuggets were playing back-to-back and were without Jokic and Gordon. The Rockets showcased their superior talent, pulling away in the second quarter with a 41-25 scoring run. Green went 16 for 10 with 6 three-pointers, scoring 34 points and 5 assists, while Shen Jing contributed 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists. The Nuggets' four-game winning streak was ended, and they remain in fourth place with a record of 24 wins and 16 losses, trailing the third-place Grizzlies by 1.5 games and only leading the fifth-place Clippers by 1.5 games. The Rockets' Five-Game Winning Streak Keeps Them Firmly in Second Place The Grizzlies made a strong second-half push, defeating the Spurs 129-115, improving their record to 26 wins and 15 losses, trailing the Rockets by 2 games. The losing Spurs now have a record equal to the Suns at 19 wins and 20 losses, slipping to 12th place. Both the Lakers and Clippers from Los Angeles won their games today, with the Clippers achieving a historic victory by defeating the rebuilding Nets 126-67, winning by…

The Houston Rockets have emerged as a strong contender in the NBA, having transitioned from a rebuilding phase to a competitive team under the leadership of coach Ime Udoka. The team has established a defensive-focused culture and has seen significant improvement this season, with their "Houston Seven" players contributing to their success. Despite their high defensive efficiency, ranking second in the league, the Rockets face challenges in offensive efficiency and key moments of games. American media and fans now hold higher expectations for the Rockets, hoping they will prepare for the playoffs. The team's offensive struggles and lack of star power in critical situations have made them a potential destination for star players in the market. Names like Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jimmy Butler, and De'Aaron Fox have been linked with the Rockets due to their culture, depth, defense, and trade assets. The Sacramento Kings are reportedly considering trading De'Aaron Fox, with the Rockets being a likely trade partner. A proposed 9-for-3 trade deal would see the Rockets acquire Fox, along with other players, while the Kings would receive several draft picks and players from the Rockets. This trade could benefit both teams, with the Kings potentially revitalizing the careers of young players like Kenyon Martin Jr., who may not have received enough playing time with the Rockets. The Rockets' strategy is to strengthen their roster with targeted acquisitions, such as Fox, who is a top-tier scorer and clutch player. Although he may need to improve his three-point shooting, his age and potential align well with the growth trajectory of…

The Clippers achieved a remarkable 59-point victory in an NBA game, with a score of 102-51 at the end of three quarters. The Clippers dominated the Nets at home, leading by double the score after three quarters, which was truly astonishing. While it's understandable that the Clippers scored 102 points, it's surprising that the Nets only managed to score 51 points. Is this still an NBA team? It seems they didn't want to win, but there was no need to perform so poorly; it's too embarrassing. Before the third quarter ended, Tyronn Lue replaced the starters with substitutes, showing great confidence as he knew the opponents couldn't possibly make a comeback. In the fourth quarter, the Nets tried to catch up on scoring, aiming to reduce the margin as much as possible, otherwise, the score would be too unsightly. However, contrary to their hopes, the Clippers' substitutes showed no mercy. They were determined to seize the opportunity and perform well, so they certainly wouldn't let up. The Nets' mentality collapsed, with Cloney being ejected from the game, losing both the game and their dignity. The Clippers continued to score, with the point difference reaching 58, causing everyone to stand up for a group photo to commemorate the moment. Paul, did you see that? It gets worse; the Nets still struggled to score, while the Clippers seemed to score effortlessly, with Coffey hitting a three-pointer and Hyland scoring consecutively, increasing the lead to a massive 64 points. In the end, the Clippers celebrated a significant victory, defeating the Nets 126-67 by…

The Houston Rockets have achieved a remarkable five-game winning streak after defeating the Denver Nuggets 128-108 on the road. The Rockets, who previously secured a victory against the Memphis Grizzlies at home, embarked on a three-game road trip. Among their opponents, the Nuggets and Kings posed the toughest challenges, with the Portland Trail Blazers scheduled for the final match. Having overcome the formidable Nuggets, the Rockets now face the Kings in their next game, with a potential seven-game winning streak within reach. The Rockets currently boast a record of 27 wins and 12 losses, translating to a win rate of 69.2%. With the Boston Celtics experiencing a dip in form this season, the Rockets are only half a game behind them in the standings. This incredible run has propelled the Rockets to the brink of securing the third spot in the league, a feat that seemed unimaginable earlier. The first half of the Rockets' schedule was relatively easy, but the second half presented the third-highest difficulty level in the league. Coincidentally, this is when Jalen Green found his stride, reminiscent of last March when he averaged 28.9 points per game, leading the team to an 11-game winning streak with an 84% monthly win rate. In January of this year, Green has maintained an average of over 30 points per game across seven matches, with only one loss to the Celtics. In today's game against a Nuggets team missing Jokic and Gordon, the Rockets dominated from the outset. Jalen Green started strong with a four-point play and a successful driving layup.…

The controversies surrounding Leonard have always been numerous, with the main issue being that he has not been playing well. Although his strength was indeed among the top five in the league during his peak period, whether Leonard can maintain a healthy and stable performance is also something that fans feel powerless to criticize. Currently, Leonard has started to stir up trouble again shortly after his return. After winning against the Heat, Leonard made a controversial statement. He said, "This time I will take it slow," which made both the fans and the Clippers feel uneasy. It seems that Leonard wants to rest again, as every time he said this before, his body would immediately encounter problems. After the previous long rest due to a major fire, there were already many doubts about Leonard's professionalism. This time, Leonard actually appeared with news of wanting to rest again, which left the fans speechless. Leonard then added, "I need to take it slow now and not rush. I didn't recover well before, which led to my injuries recurring. So this time, I won't lift my playing time restrictions." This statement suggests that fans should not expect him to play for 30 minutes. Leonard will still adopt a more restful and recuperative game rhythm. Whether the Clippers can enter the playoffs does not seem to be a big concern for Leonard. After all, he has already won two championship trophies, and his main focus now in the Clippers is to maintain his health and secure his super high salary.