NBA regular season continued to play, the Rockets lost at home to the Celtics with a score of 86-109, missing out on consecutive victories. In this game, the Rockets started off in mediocre form, with an imbalanced offense and defense. Their attack was not stable enough, and they were slow to retreat defensively, falling behind the Celtics by more than 10 points after half a quarter. Although the Rockets managed to stabilize their footing later on, they were unable to maintain consistency and still trailed by a 9-point margin at halftime. In the second half, the Rockets' offense remained inconsistent, and in the third quarter, they briefly narrowed the gap to around 5 points but were quickly pushed back to a 15-point deficit. After the third quarter score was set at 16-17, the Rockets entered the final quarter with a 10-point disadvantage. In the fourth quarter, not only did the Rockets fail to further close the gap, but the Celtics also went on an 18-7 run, directly widening the gap to over 20 points. Coach Udoka had no choice but to concede defeat early. After the loss, the Rockets' record stands at 22 wins and 12 losses. So where exactly did they fall short in this game? Perhaps the data can provide us with some answers.
Jalen Green shot 10 for 21 from the field, 5 for 13 from three-point range, scoring 27 points with 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks, and 1 turnover. It seems that Green's efficiency wasn't particularly high today, but his performance was actually quite commendable. Especially at the beginning of the third quarter, he made consecutive mid-range shots and three-pointers, even performing a spectacular dunk after a breakthrough, scoring 10 points in a single quarter. It's worth noting that the entire Rockets team only scored 16 points in the third quarter, so without Green's timely outburst, the Rockets might have already collapsed and surrendered. However, Green still gives the impression of being somewhat inconsistent, with his state coming and going abruptly, which is a bit awkward.
Shen Jing shot 6 for 15 from the field, 0 for 1 from three-point range, and 2 for 2 from the free-throw line, scoring 14 points with 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, and 4 turnovers. Today, Shen Jing's performance was disappointing. Of course, facing the Celtics' absolute height advantage in the paint, Shen Jing struggled, which is also an objective reason for his low efficiency. However, in terms of attitude, especially on the defensive end, Shen Jing's performance was frustrating, as he often didn't even attempt to block when Celtics players passed or shot under the basket. Without Xiaojabari Smith, the Rockets' interior defense problems have been magnified, and Shen Jing's defensive issues have also been highlighted.
Dillon shot 4 for 13 from the field, 2 for 6 from three-point range, contributing 10 points with 2 rebounds and 1 steal. Today, Dillon's performance was average, as his offensive efficiency was indeed not high. Many of his shooting opportunities were open looks, but he couldn't capitalize on them. However, in this game, Dillon had a heavier defensive responsibility, constantly guarding Tatum and putting more effort and energy into defense. Overall, his performance on both ends of the court was acceptable.
VanVleet shot 3 for 7 from the field, 1 for 3 from three-point range, and 1 for 1 from the free-throw line, scoring 8 points with 1 rebound, 3 assists, and 1 turnover. Today, VanVleet's performance could still only be described as poor. However, compared to his previous state of wildly shooting and missing, VanVleet's slightly better aspect in this game was knowing when to give up the ball. Especially in the third quarter, he even went to inbound the ball, proactively passing the ball to Green in the backcourt, which led to Green's brief outburst and gave the Rockets a glimpse of hope. But overall, VanVleet's performance falls far short of the value of his contract.
Jeff Green shot 2 for 3 from the field, 1 for 2 from three-point range, and 2 for 2 from the free-throw line, scoring 7 points with 5 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 turnover. The data is mediocre, but honestly, today Old Green demonstrated to the fans what it means to be a true professional player. He has hardly played much this season, and in such a situation, many players would struggle to maintain a mindset ready to step up at any time, even if they don't intentionally perform poorly. Judging from Old Green's ability to seize opportunities today and his defensive performance, it's clear that he trains hard and is always prepared. That's why Coach Udoka trusts him and allows him to start.
Among the substitutes, Whitmore shot 4 for 17 from the field, 1 for 9 from three-point range, and 2 for 2 from the free-throw line, contributing 11 points with 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 turnover. The young player complained about the instability of his role within the team, but when given the opportunity, one needs to demonstrate the appropriate level to match their confidence. Clearly, Whitmore's performance today was difficult to satisfy. The other role players didn't contribute much either. Due to injuries to Ethan, Thompson, and Xiao Jia, the Rockets are indeed short-handed, and there are simply no substitutes available.