The game between the Rockets and the Grizzlies was quite lively, as we all saw. In terms of the game's progress, it was a fast-paced rhythm, but in this game, the Rockets were the team chasing points. The victory was crucial for the Rockets. So, what are the key points to analyze from this game? Winning twice in four days has solidified their position as second in the West. How did the Rockets win, and what were the five correct decisions?
In fact, the Rockets and the Grizzlies have played each other quite a bit recently. Just four days ago, they had a match where the Rockets won by a small margin of 4 points. Today's game also ended with a narrow 2-point victory for the Rockets. However, this doesn't diminish the significance of the Rockets winning twice against the Grizzlies in four days. Moreover, after these consecutive victories, the Rockets have firmly maintained their second place in the West, increasing their number of wins to 26.
How did the Rockets manage to win this game? It was mainly due to five correct decisions. The first decision was to give the ball to Green. Since entering January, Green has been performing exceptionally well. As a result, Udoka ensured that Green received ample ball possession. Everyone could see in this game that the Rockets' victory was largely due to Green's contributions. He scored 42 points and provided 4 assists, playing a crucial role in closing the gap when the team was trailing, stabilizing the Rockets' foundation.
The second decision was to secure a rebounding advantage. The Rockets managed to pull through in this game, thanks to their effective use of rebounding. They grabbed a total of 40 rebounds, including 15 offensive rebounds. With such a strong rebounding presence, the Rockets were able to create more opportunities. The third decision was to temporarily bench Shen Jing. Udoka benched Shen Jing for a period during the game, which turned out to be quite effective. When Shen Jing returned to the court, he made key scores and assists.
The fourth decision was to heavily utilize Whitmore. If Ison is not playing, Whitmore becomes the top scorer on the Rockets' bench, and Udoka has indeed relied on him. Whitmore scored 16 points efficiently, which everyone could see. The fifth decision was to opt for a penalty shootout. When the Rockets were leading by 3 points, they chose to engage in a penalty shootout mode. Morant missed his penalty shot, giving the Rockets an even greater advantage, making the game even more exciting.
In summary, this game was another typical example of the Rockets' style. As everyone knows, this season the Rockets prefer high-scoring games, either chasing points when trailing or being chased when leading. These young players are truly capable, though they can be inconsistent. However, judging by the results, the Rockets won the game, and Green has shown significant improvement, achieving multiple benefits. Let's see how the Rockets perform in their upcoming games.