On January 14, 2025, Beijing time, the 25-12 Rockets hosted the 25-14 Grizzlies. The Rockets are currently ranked second in the West, while the Grizzlies are third. This is a crucial game for both teams. This is their third meeting of the season; the Rockets won the previous two encounters by 20 and 4 points respectively, including a 4-point victory just four days ago. Today, the Grizzlies are eager to bounce back, but the Rockets are in excellent form with a three-game winning streak. Can the Grizzlies defeat such a formidable opponent? The Grizzlies' starting lineup includes Morant, Bane, Wells, Jackson, and Idi. On the Rockets' side, Smith and Ison are absent, leaving the starting lineup as VanVleet, Jalen Green, Dillon, Amen, and Shen Jing. In the first quarter, Morant and Bane hit three-pointers, giving the Grizzlies a 6-0 lead. Amen responded with a three-pointer and Jalen Green scored a layup, reducing the gap to one point. Jackson, Morant, and Wells added points, while Shen Jing and Jalen Green kept the Rockets close, trailing by two points. After a timeout, Morant scored five consecutive points, extending the Grizzlies' lead to seven points. Dillon, Jalen Green, and Amen went on a 10-0 run to take a three-point lead. Aldama, Pippen, and Jackson countered with a 9-0 run to regain a six-point advantage. Adams made a shot, and Lavinia hit a three-pointer, ending the quarter with the Grizzlies leading 30-23. In the second quarter, Whitmore hit a three-pointer, narrowing the gap to four points. Kennard and Pippen extended the lead to eight…

On January 14th, Beijing time, the NBA regular season continued, with the Rockets playing against the Grizzlies at home. The two teams were locked in a tug-of-war battle from the start, with the Grizzlies taking the lead with a 12-2 run. However, the Rockets' Green and Whitmore kept scoring to narrow the gap. In the second half, although the Grizzlies managed to pull away, the Rockets fought back again, with Green scoring crucial points. Ultimately, the Rockets defeated the Grizzlies 120-118, securing their fourth consecutive victory. In the first quarter, the Grizzlies quickly found their rhythm, with Morant and Bane hitting consecutive three-pointers. The Rockets' offense was also solid, with Green continuously scoring to keep up with the score. Wells and Morant hit three-pointers to give the Grizzlies an 18-11 lead. Brooks hit a three-pointer to stop the bleeding, followed by Green's three-pointer, and Amen's alley-oop dunk, allowing the Rockets to overtake the score. However, in the last five minutes of the quarter, the Rockets' offense suddenly faltered, while the Grizzlies kept breaking through for points. Jackson hit a three-pointer, followed by Llarvia's three-pointer, resulting in a 12-2 run that gave the Grizzlies a 30-23 lead at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, Whitmore hit a three-pointer, and Pippen scored on a breakthrough, but the Grizzlies remained in control. Holiday hit a three-pointer, and the Rockets launched a counterattack. Whitmore hit another three-pointer and then followed it up with a one-handed dunk on a fast break, helping the Rockets fight back. Green remained hot, nailing an…

Today, the Rockets hosted the Grizzlies at home, with the Rockets starting lineup consisting of Dillon, Amen, Shen Jing, Jalen Green, and VanVleet; while the Grizzlies started with Wells, San Gou, Eddy, Bane, and Morant. In the first quarter, the Grizzlies hit two consecutive three-pointers, to which Amen responded with a corner three-pointer, followed by Jalen Green accelerating for a layup. San Gou and Morant combined for 4 points, and the Rockets also maintained a fast pace, with both teams exchanging leads in a back-and-forth scoring battle. Green scored another layup, prompting a Grizzlies timeout. Returning from the timeout, Morant scored 5 points to extend the lead, but Dillon's three-pointer stopped the bleeding, and the Rockets responded with a 10-0 run to take the lead. Shen Jing missed several shots, and the Grizzlies made two difficult baskets, while Green faced tight defense. After a 22-21 score, a timeout was called. Following the timeout, San Gou erupted again, and Green assisted Adams with a 2+1 play. The first quarter ended with the Grizzlies leading 30-23, a 7-point advantage. In the second quarter, during the rotation phase, after White Magic hit a three-pointer, the Grizzlies extended their lead to 9 points. Holiday responded with a three-pointer to stop the bleeding, and White Magic's steal and fastbreak basket narrowed the gap. The Grizzlies called a timeout. Returning from the timeout, the Grizzlies once again extended their lead into double digits. White Magic hit another three-pointer to stop the bleeding, adding a steal and fastbreak dunk. Jalen Green scored on a step-through move, prompting…

The Rockets are set to face the Grizzlies for the third time this season, with both teams well-acquainted with each other. The Rockets aim to challenge the Grizzlies again to solidify their position as second in the West, and they have both good and bad news. Firstly, Jalen Green has been improving steadily, with his offense becoming more reliable and showing signs of a core player. His shooting is becoming more consistent, and his three-point shooting is also improving. It was Jalen Green who helped the Rockets win against strong opponents, which is great news. The Rockets' patience with Jalen Green has paid off, and he has also shown good control over turnovers, although there is still room for improvement. Secondly, young player Sheppard has been performing well in the Development League, with highlights such as scoring 49 points and making 9 assists. Sheppard has shown his potential as a core player, capable of scoring and organizing the offense. His no-look passes are impressive, and his three-point shooting is stable, making him a formidable force in the Development League. It would be great to see him return to the Rockets' rotation soon. Lastly, there is an issue with Whitmore, who has little interaction with his teammates and does not celebrate victories with the team. This young man seems to be just as his college coach described him; the Rockets' investment in him has not paid off, and he is not worth developing. Whitmore may find it difficult to secure consistent playing time, and it would be better to give those…

The Houston Rockets have now become the second strongest team in the Western Conference, with their winning percentage consistently ranking second in the West. After defeating the Memphis Grizzlies, the Rockets achieved a small three-game winning streak, with their winning percentage and form steadily improving. Udoka clearly stated in an interview that Jalen Green and Shen Jing have been performing outstandingly and stably recently, serving as the core pillars of the team. He likes to see them play in tandem to better complete scoring, rather than having them take turns playing individually. Udoka places great emphasis on teamwork. Udoka is a strict head coach who started as a defensive assistant coach, learning from Popovich and working for a long time with the Spurs coaching staff. During his tenure with the Celtics, Udoka was known as a defensive coach, leading the Celtics to the top defense in the league at the time. The current defensive system of the Rockets is also built by Udoka, centered around Dillon Brooks, Jabari Smith, Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, Tate, and VanVleet. This season, the Rockets' defensive efficiency ranks third in the entire league, with both Jalen Green and Shen Jing's defense entering the top 70 in the league. According to official reports from ESPN journalists, Jalen Green, the No. 2 pick for the Rockets, has averaged 27.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.6 steals since January, with a shooting percentage of 47.8% and a three-point percentage of 41.2%. Recently, Jalen Green has continuously scored high points, including 33 points + 6 rebounds + 4…

Houston Rockets have achieved a record of 4 wins and 1 loss in their last five games, including an ongoing three-game winning streak, seemingly at their best at the beginning of the new year 2025. Despite facing the second-hardest schedule in the league, the Rockets have managed to defeat top Western Conference teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, and Memphis Grizzlies in these five games, with their only loss coming against the reigning champions, the Boston Celtics. In this highly competitive Western Conference season, the Rockets hold the second place with a record of 25 wins and 12 losses. In the four victories at the start of the year, the Rockets averaged 120.8 points per game while allowing only 110.3 points, ranking sixth in offensive efficiency (offensive rating of 118) during that period. The surge in the Rockets' offensive efficiency in the new year is largely due to the transformation of Jalen Green. The guard's efficiency and consistency have been under constant scrutiny throughout his career, but since Udoka joined the Rockets, his role in the team has been clearly defined, leading to his breakout performance. Especially in the past five games, since Amen Thompson was promoted to the starting lineup, the Rockets have transitioned to a fast-paced offense that relies on transition play and excellent ball-sharing, and Green has finally found his preferred playing style. He has been able to frequently attack the opponent's basket using his athleticism and create space for himself beyond the three-point line. In these five games, Green averaged 27.6 points, 4.8…

The Philadelphia 76ers are one of the most watched teams in the league, boasting a regular season MVP in Joel Embiid and an All-Star guard in Tyrese Maxey. Last year, they also signed superstar Paul George, leading many to believe they could become championship contenders. However, this new season has seen the 76ers achieve only a 15-21 record, which is quite disappointing. Despite this, young guard Tyrese Maxey has been performing exceptionally well, earning an All-Star selection, securing a $200 million contract, and enjoying a beautiful relationship with his girlfriend, making him a true winner in life. Maxey was drafted in 2020, and his career did not start particularly high, as he was selected at the 20th pick. Initially, Maxey played a substitute role, averaging only 15 minutes per game in his rookie season, contributing 8 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 2 assists. However, Maxey quickly progressed, demonstrating impressive athleticism and developing long-range shooting skills. By his second year, he had become the starting point guard, with his average stats skyrocketing to 17.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists. In the playoffs, Maxey's performance was particularly outstanding. In the 22-23 season, he continued to improve, with his stats rising to an average of 20.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, becoming a super shooting guard alongside Harden and Embiid. The previous season marked a turning point in Maxey's career when Harden left the 76ers, allowing Maxey to return to the point guard position and become the team's second-in-command. His shot attempts increased to an average of 20.3 times per game, resulting…

The Houston Rockets have exceeded expectations this season with a record of 25 wins and 12 losses, ranking second in the Western Conference and highly competitive in the entire league. They have transformed from a rebuilding team to one of the top contenders. The Rockets' success this season is largely attributed to their draft picks over the past few years, showcasing Stone's keen eye for talent. However, the Rockets have accumulated seven young, talented players over four years, which could lead to significant pressure during contract renewals. The team must prioritize which players to retain. Among these seven players, who is least likely to be traded, and who faces the highest risk? Seventh: Whitmore Whitmore's position might have been higher among fans just half a month ago. However, his recent emotional outbursts, negative comments about himself and the team, conflicts with teammates, and concerns about his attitude, emotional intelligence, and basketball IQ have increased the likelihood of his departure, possibly by the mid-season trade deadline. Sixth: Shepherd Shepherd's performance suggests he should have been traded earlier, but his high emotional and basketball intelligence make him valuable. The Rockets recognize that his lackluster performance is partly due to insufficient opportunities, so they are not in a rush to let go of this promising point guard known as "Little Curry." Fifth: Ison Ison's defensive prowess is among the best in the league, yet his ranking is lower than expected. Prior to his injury, he would have ranked in the top three. Now, if the Rockets acquire a superstar player, Ison might be…

The "Superstar" of the Rockets Rises! From Doubts to the True Scene, Three Consecutive Wins Unveil the Future Blueprint Jalen Green, a future superstar or just a fleeting moment? Two years ago, the Rockets selected this determined and energetic young man with the second overall pick in the draft. However, at that time, many experts shook their heads and sighed, "Another player with excellent physical abilities but lacking basketball IQ." The doubts were like an impending storm, and fans' criticisms didn't stop either: "Isn't it just about jumping? What about stability?" Even during this year's offseason, when the Rockets renewed Green's contract for $106 million over three years in advance, the deal was ridiculed as "gambling on youth." But the facts have proven that the Rockets made the right bet, and they won big. Recently, the Rockets' three-game winning streak has become a hot topic across the league, and there is no doubt that Green is the main character behind it. In the three games, he scored 27 points, 29 points, and 33 points respectively, using his signature breakaway layups and precise outside shooting to prove his growth to the outside world. From being a showman to becoming the core of the team, his transformation did not come by chance. Stability is what impresses people most about Green. Last season, his performance in each game was like "opening a blind box": he could score 20+ when in good form, but also make consecutive mistakes and recklessly charge into multiple defenders when in poor form. However, now, his shot selection is…

This season, one of the most surprising teams in the NBA league is definitely the Houston Rockets. At the beginning of the season, no one in the entire league predicted that the Rockets would be able to maintain a stable second-place ranking in the Western Conference. With their victory over the third-ranked Memphis Grizzlies, the Rockets have solidified their second-place standing in the West, only behind the Oklahoma City Thunder. This season, the Rockets' rebounding and defensive capabilities have consistently been among the strongest in the league. The only area where they fall short is offensive scoring, which has not been consistent. If Jalen Green can consistently deliver key blows, this Rockets team could become a championship-level contender. 32+14! 27+3! The Rockets have indeed won big with their bet, and Stone's $300 million contract proves to be worth it. In the game between the Rockets and the Grizzlies, No. 2 draft pick Jalen Green and No. 16 draft pick Sengun both exploded, leading the team to victory against strong opponents alongside VanVleet. Jalen Green shot 11 for 21, scoring 27 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block, with an efficient offensive scoring rate exceeding 50%. His defense was also impressive, with 3 steals and 1 block in a single game, showing his sharpness. Sengun shot 12 for 20, scoring 32 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks, with the highest points, rebounds, and assists of the game, demonstrating his versatility. VanVleet, who had previously underperformed and struggled with shooting, was criticized. However, against the Grizzlies, he…