The Houston Rockets dominated the Denver Nuggets in a regular-season game on January 16th, Beijing time. In this match, Jokic did not play, and the Rockets overwhelmed the Nuggets in the first half. They continued to widen the point difference and ultimately secured a significant victory with a final score of 128-108.
During this game, Green was once again the star player, exploding with an impressive performance. He has been able to completely control the game's momentum in recent matches, boasting high shooting percentages both inside and outside the three-point line. This allowed Green to score an impressive 34 points, making 10 out of 16 shots. If he maintains this level of play, Green stands a strong chance of being selected for the All-Star Game. His current scoring ability is already among the top-tier in the league.
Amon and VanVleet have become the backbone of the team. Although Amon did not have a massive offensive explosion, he scored 11 points with 4 out of 8 shots. His greatest contribution to the Rockets lies in his rebounding and defensive capabilities. With 9 rebounds throughout the game, he also had 4 steals and 2 blocks. Under his protection, Amon had the highest plus-minus rating on the team. Notably, Amon's performance in the first quarter was quite poor, but he quickly adjusted and improved after the second quarter.
VanVleet has found his optimal role within the team. He refrains from taking unnecessary shots and instead passes the ball to his teammates. Although he took more shots than usual today, he recorded 8 assists and played aggressively on defense, accumulating 16 points, 8 assists, and 3 steals. His ability to drive the offensive rhythm is sufficient for the team's needs.
The four bench players also made significant contributions. Whitmore handled the intensity with ease, making 7 out of 11 shots to score 16 points and grab 9 rebounds, easily dominating the court. Jeff Green maintained a perfect shooting percentage, scoring 8 points with 3 out of 6 shots. Tate was ready to contribute whenever needed, scoring 6 points with 3 out of 4 shots and adding 1 block. Adams also held his ground in the paint. These four players hold a relatively high status within the Rockets.
However, Shen Jing took too many shots. In the first half, he was shooting excessively, seemingly trying too hard. Fortunately, he adjusted in the second half, incorporating mid-range shots and passes, but his overall shooting percentage was still subpar at 9 out of 21 attempts.