With the Lakers losing to the Rockets and the Thunder reversing the Celtics, changes in the Western rankings!
The Thunder, ranked first in the West, has won 15 consecutive victories, while the Lakers surprisingly lost to the Rockets. Behind this seemingly ordinary result of the game, there is a fierce shake-up in the Western pattern.
Is it time to tear off the label of "pseudo-strong team" from the Rockets?
What impact will Amon's emergence have on the West?
▶ The unexpected joy of the Rockets
The Rockets' performance this season has been questioned. Their record of 22 wins and 12 losses looks bright, but it is always considered a false appearance built on defense, lacking real competitiveness.
In this game against the Lakers, almost no one favored them before the game.
However, the young players of the Rockets responded to all doubts with a thrilling victory.
Jalen Green scored 33 points, showing his leadership qualities; Amon Thompson contributed a comprehensive data of 23 points and 16 rebounds, showing amazing energy on both offense and defense, even making James hard to handle.
This victory not only improved the ranking of the Rockets, but more importantly, it boosted the morale and self-confidence of the team.
The victory of the Rockets was not accidental.
They focus on defense, using the vitality and impact of young players to play an efficient transition offense.
The addition of Amon Thompson has injected new vitality into the team.
He can not only score, but also grab rebounds, organize offense, and limit the core players of the opponent on the defensive end.
His appearance has made the Rockets' offense smoother and their defense more stable.
This victory may herald the rise of the Rockets. They are gradually getting rid of the label of "pseudo-strong team" and moving towards becoming a real strong team.
▶ The dilemma and challenges of the Lakers
The Lakers, who have recently been in hot form, unexpectedly lost to the Rockets.
Although James and Davis both scored over 20 points, the team's overall performance was not stable enough.
Poor outside shooting and many loopholes in defense allowed the Rockets to seize the opportunity.
After trading Russell, the Lakers' defense has improved, but this is not enough to make up for their shortcomings on the offensive end.
The Lakers are currently facing many challenges.
Davis' injury concerns have always existed, and James' state is difficult to maintain stability.
The performance of role players is also inconsistent, lacking stable scoring points.
If the Lakers want to maintain their competitiveness in the fiercely competitive West, they need to find ways to solve these problems.
Improving the three-point shooting percentage and strengthening the rotation and help defense are areas they need to improve.
▶ The dominance of the Thunder
The Thunder's 15-game winning streak demonstrates their dominance in the West.
Alexander has grown into a top star in the league. He leads this young team and delivers impressive performances.
They are balanced in attack and defense, with good teamwork and coordination, showing strong competitiveness.
This victory over the Celtics further proves their strength.
In the second half, they limited the Celtics to 27 points, demonstrating their strong defensive capabilities.
The success of the Thunder is not accidental.
They focus on cultivating young players and have built a reasonable lineup structure.
The double-core combination of Alexander and Jalen Williams provides a stable scoring guarantee for the team.
Other role players also perform their duties and contribute their own strength to the team.
The future of the Thunder is full of hope, and they are expected to become the new hegemon in the West.
▶ The chaotic pattern of the West
The Lakers' loss and the Thunder's winning streak have once again changed the rankings in the West.
The gap between teams is not big, and every game is crucial.
The West has entered a chaotic mode, where any team has the potential to stand out or fall out of the playoff ranks.
The upcoming games will be even more exciting and intense.
Who will have the last laugh? Let's wait and see.
Reference: NBA Official Website
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