On January 16th, Beijing time, in an NBA regular season game, the Houston Rockets defeated the Denver Nuggets 128-108 on the road, securing their fifth consecutive victory. Although they still have a noticeable gap from the first place Thunder in the Western Conference, this winning streak has solidified their position as second in the West. The Nuggets, on the other hand, saw their four-game winning streak come to an end with this loss, remaining in fourth place in the West. Prior to the game, the Nuggets announced that Jokic would be out due to injury. Without their star player, the team's overall competitiveness took a hit. Despite strong performances from Murray and Westbrook, they were unable to withstand the more aggressive Rockets. In the second quarter, the Rockets went on a 41-25 run, extending the lead to over 20 points. The Nuggets continued to fight back, but without Jokic, they were significantly weakened on both ends of the court, ultimately suffering a crushing defeat at home and ending their winning streak. Without Jokic, Murray continued his hot streak from the previous game, scoring 22 points with 8-of-14 shooting, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists, including 4-of-5 from beyond the arc. Westbrook also contributed 17 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists, while Braun added 22 points. However, even with these efforts, the Nuggets were mostly dominated by the Rockets, showing little resistance. Jokic's absence had a significant impact on the team, and the other players were unable to fill the void left by his departure. On the Rockets' side, the team maintained…

The Houston Rockets defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 120-118 at home, giving a sense of fulfilling past efforts this year. The Rockets have achieved the second-best record in the West, replicating last season's Thunder script. Moreover, Jalen Green has recently started to explode, providing a significant boost to the Rockets' record. Green played for 40 minutes, shooting 13 out of 18 from the field, including 5 out of 6 from three-point range, scoring 42 points with 3 rebounds and 4 assists. Notably, Green has now matched the level of Hakeem Olajuwon, the first star of the Rockets. Green scored 42 points against the Grizzlies with a 72.2% shooting rate, making him the second player in the Rockets' history after Olajuwon to score over 40 points with a 70% shooting rate before the age of 23. It can truly be said that Green is unpredictable. When you praised Green for his breakthrough at the beginning of last year, he underperformed for a month, dropping from an average of 29 points to 19 points per game. However, when you say Green is not good enough, he averages 25 points after Christmas. Now, Green's average has quietly reached 21 points. What can you say about that? You dare not even hype him up because doing so might lead to another disappointing performance in the next game. Of course, we still hope that Green can maintain his form throughout January, as the schedule this month is tough. If the Rockets can stabilize their record this month, they will undoubtedly secure a spot in the playoffs…

At the outset of the season, key factors such as talent, depth, and coaching were already in place. However, it is important to note that despite these conditions being met, they do not guarantee ideal results with certainty. Take the Rockets as an example; they have shown remarkable progress this season, which is not by chance but the result of various factors working together. Ime Udoka's excellent guidance has injected strong momentum and a clear tactical direction into the team. Compared to the same period last season, the Rockets have won 7 more games, clearly demonstrating significant improvements in tactical execution and player performance. Currently, the Rockets hold an outstanding record of 26 wins and 12 losses, firmly ranking second in the West. This achievement is attributed to the passion and drive of the young talents on the team, who shine on the court with their exceptional physical abilities and limitless potential. Experienced veterans also play a pivotal role, using their accumulated experience and calm mindset to stabilize the team and make wise decisions at critical moments. Additionally, the team's tough players exert immense pressure on opponents defensively and are relentless offensively, contributing significantly to victories. Notably, in January, the team's rising star, Green, entered an exceptional competitive state, scoring over 20 points in six consecutive games, leading the Rockets to a remarkable record of 5 wins and 1 loss. Green's performance in January reached All-Star level standards, averaging 30.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game. Moreover, his shooting accuracy was as high as…

Houston Rockets' Winning Bet: A Testament to Smart Management and Teamwork The Houston Rockets have emerged as a dark horse in the NBA, securing their position as the second-best team in the West with an impressive defense and the explosive performance of their young players. Recently, they have won three consecutive victories, demonstrating their fiery form. Most notably, second overall pick Jalen Green has had a breakout performance. In January, he delivered an outstanding record: averaging 27.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game, with a shooting percentage close to fifty percent and an impressive 41.2% from beyond the arc. Over several games, Green maintained a stable scoring output, showcasing his All-Star-level offensive prowess. Coach Udoka's training of the team is undeniable. This renowned coach, who hails from the Spurs coaching staff, brought Popovich's defensive philosophy to Houston. Under his guidance, the Rockets have built the third-best defensive efficiency in the league, with defensive stalwarts like Brooks and Smith forming an intimidating frontline that strikes fear into opponents. Even more surprising is the significant improvement in Jalen Green's defense, which has elevated him to the top 70 defenders in the league alongside Shen Jing. Udoka particularly emphasizes the defensive coordination between the two, moving away from simple one-on-one rotations. Reflecting on the offseason, the Rockets' management made a wise decision. They had the opportunity to bring in Paul George but ultimately chose to trust their young players. Reality has proven this decision to be incredibly correct. Looking at the situation of the 76ers, who paid a hefty price of…

On January 14th, Beijing time, the Rockets won a game, but one of their top-salary stars was very unhappy. The whole team was having a meeting to celebrate, but he shrugged and walked back to the bench, feeling out of place. The Rockets narrowly defeated the Grizzlies with Green's explosive performance of 42 points. This season, they have already defeated the Grizzlies three times, making them the Grizzlies' absolute nemesis. This victory can only be attributed to Green and Amon Thompson, who were undoubtedly the two biggest contributors. Green scored 42 points, while Amon contributed 19 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 blocks. They are truly a perfect match. However, during the Rockets' victory, there was someone who felt out of place, and that was another top-salary player on the team, Shen Jing, who has a contract worth 180 million. When the Rockets finally secured the win through consecutive free throws, Shen Jing was substituted off and continued to shrug as he walked back to the bench. Four of his teammates were in a meeting, but he was shrugging, which made him seem even more out of place. At that time, Fan Qiudan gathered his teammates around him and held a meeting with Amon Thompson, Dillon Brooks, and Jalen Green. However, Shen Jing just shrugged and walked towards the bench without participating in the meeting. Later, when he saw Adams come on, he went to rest. It became even more absurd when Shen Jing stood with his hands on his hips at the sidelines, watching the team win without showing the…

NBA regular season continues to be played, with the Rockets hosting the Grizzlies at home. The Rockets have been in good form recently, securing a three-game winning streak. In this game, the Rockets' offensive performance was average, but fortunately, Green's efficient play helped the team keep up with the score, trailing 23-30 in the first quarter. In the second quarter, Green continued his stable performance, and White Magic, who came off the bench, also performed efficiently, with the Rockets trailing 57-60 at halftime. In the second half, both teams fought fiercely, but in the final quarter, the Rockets once trailed by 13 points. Fortunately, Green led the team with a 14-2 run to narrow the gap, and in the end, Amen made a free throw to seal the victory. Green has proven that as long as he has the ball, he can perform, having scored over 25 points for five consecutive games. He is now a true scoring weapon with high offensive efficiency (a shooting percentage of 72.2% in this game), capable of driving and shooting, creating fouls, and not shying away from key shots, scoring 10 points in the fourth quarter alone. This season, Green has scored over 30 points in seven games, with the Rockets maintaining a perfect 7-0 record in those games. He finished the game with 42 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal on 13-of-18 shooting, including 5-of-6 from three-point range. Today, it was entirely Green's individual effort that carried the Rockets' offense; without his outstanding performance, the Rockets would have lost much earlier.…

Four Consecutive Wins! Green Scores 42+5, Morant Makes 11 of 24 Shots, New Star Rises in Rockets, Grizzlies Suffer Third Defeat By Lao Kan Kan Qiu | Edited by Lao Kan Kan Qiu On January 14th, Beijing time, the NBA 2024-25 season regular season welcomes a key match in the Western Conference, with the Houston Rockets hosting the Memphis Grizzlies. This is the third confrontation between the two teams this season, and the previous two encounters were won by the Rockets, showing a clear advantage. Obviously, the Rockets are indeed strong this season, with the continuous rise of new stars within the team, which has raised the depth of the lineup to a new level. Currently, the team has a record of 25 wins and 12 losses, achieving a three-game winning streak, ranking second in the West, just behind the Thunder. The reason for their impressive performance is closely related to their defense. The data shows that so far this season, the Rockets have an average of 107.1 points conceded and a defensive efficiency of 107.0, both ranking among the top three in the league. In contrast, the Grizzlies are also a dark horse in the West, currently with a record of 25 wins and 14 losses, ranking third in the West. Obviously, this is a crucial battle for positioning, and neither team wants to lose. Before the game, American media ESPN also gave the latest win rate prediction for today's game, with the Rockets having a win rate as high as 51.1%, while the Grizzlies' win rate is only…

Don't ask me this question anymore! Udoka doesn't want to answer questions about Ison's injury situation again. He has repeatedly stated that there have been no changes and no specific timetable for his return. Because Ison can't play, Amane is promoted to the starting lineup. Although Udoka does not appreciate Whitmore's playing style, he still has to use him. Of course, Udoka will also constantly look for opportunities to discipline Whitmore to demonstrate his authority within the Rockets team. Udoka said in an interview that Sheppard scored 49 points in a single game in the Development League but was not selfish and did not force anything. Udoka suggests to Sheppard: "Be aggressive on offense, be confident, and be more decisive in certain aspects. As I said, he needs to control the rhythm of the game and find shooting opportunities through a lot of practice while also accepting some defensive challenges." Udoka also said: "We have seen similar situations with Whitmore. Many times, some players' states stagnate when they get less playing time, but once they truly get the opportunity to play in actual combat, they can quickly enter the state." Udoka admits that Jalen Green is a player with strong scoring ability and hopes he can maintain stability. The Rockets narrowly defeated the Grizzlies to win their 26th game of the season. Jalen Green scored 42 points with 3 rebounds and 4 assists, shooting 13 of 18 from the field, 5 of 6 from three-point range, and a plus-minus of +8. His performance in this game surpassed his older brother…

On January 14, 2025, the NBA regular season continued with the Houston Rockets hosting the Memphis Grizzlies. The two teams were closely ranked, with the Rockets at 25 wins and 12 losses, ranking second in the West, while the Grizzlies were third in the West with 25 wins and 14 losses. This game was not only a battle for position but also a focal matchup. Ultimately, the Rockets narrowly defeated the Grizzlies 120-118 after four quarters of intense competition, further solidifying their second place in the West. Game Review The game started with the Grizzlies taking the lead first, with Morant and Bane's offense helping them gain an advantage. Although the Rockets gradually responded through the offensive efforts of Jalen Green and Amen, the Grizzlies still led 30-23 at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, both teams had low shooting percentages, and the Grizzlies once expanded their lead, but the Rockets gradually narrowed the gap through the outstanding performances of Whitmore and Jalen Green, trailing 57-60 at halftime. In the third quarter, both sides engaged in a back-and-forth defensive battle, with the Grizzlies maintaining a slight lead. At the end of the third quarter, the Rockets trailed 87-92. Entering the fourth quarter, the Rockets gradually turned the tide, with Jalen Green's personal outburst and Amen's strong performance in the paint helping the Rockets overtake the score in the final moments. Eventually, the Rockets won a narrow victory over the Grizzlies 120-118, thanks to Jalen Green's two successful free throws. Houston Rockets Player Ratings:‌ Jalen Green (Perfect…

In a fierce match where the Rockets secured their third victory against the Grizzlies this season, all eyes were on Jalen Green, who scored 42 points, and Amen Thompson, who contributed 19 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 5 blocks. These two young players, both in their early twenties, have accelerated the countdown for veteran Fred VanVleet's departure with their outstanding performances. Initially, the Rockets signed VanVleet to a three-year, 112millioncontractfromthefree−agentmarkettomentortheiryoungplayers.This112 million contract from the free-agent market to mentor their young players. This 112millioncontractfromthefree−agentmarkettomentortheiryoungplayers.This40 million average annual salary was more akin to a "training fee." However, no one anticipated how quickly the Rockets' rebuilding process would progress. At the beginning, VanVleet and the Rockets management might have considered renewing his contract after its expiration with a slightly lower average salary but longer term, allowing VanVleet to continue guiding the team. This was because shortly after signing, the Rockets' promising point guard, Kevin Porter Jr., was removed from the team due to self-sabotage. In such circumstances, even if the team wanted to find a future successor, there was no suitable candidate. At that time, Green, who had been honed for two years, had proven to everyone that he was a pure shooting guard, not a combo guard. Subsequently, the Rockets' management demonstrated their response by choosing high draft picks in the 23rd and 24th consecutive drafts to secure backcourt point guard players. No one expected that Amen Thompson, drafted in 2023, would grow into the best all-around player for the Rockets in just one season. Standing at 2.01 meters…