The Houston Rockets suffered a surprising loss against the Detroit Pistons in their recent game, which can be considered an upset. Everyone knows that the Rockets have been performing exceptionally well this season, securing the second-best record in the Western Conference. While the Pistons have shown improvement this season, they have not yet reached the level of a powerhouse team. However, in this particular match, the Rockets unfortunately tasted defeat. So, what are the key takeaways from the Rockets' loss? After the game, Coach Udoka lavished praise on one individual, while VanVleet pinpointed a crucial factor, and Amen did not hold back. As the head coach, Udoka was candid in his post-game assessment, showering praise on the Pistons' Cunningham. Udoka openly stated that he wanted to commend Cunningham for seizing the opportunities presented to him and capitalizing on them. Indeed, Udoka's assessment is accurate; those who watched the game would agree that Cunningham was the primary reason for the Pistons' victory, scoring 32 points, grabbing 9 rebounds, and dishing out 7 assists, despite committing 10 turnovers. It's undeniable that Cunningham has finally stepped up to lead his team. Udoka also criticized his own team, noting that they played as if they hadn't woken up in the first quarter, only managing to play well in the second quarter. It's worth mentioning that the Rockets in this game didn't quite resemble the team everyone is familiar with. This was partly due to their lethargy during the match and partly because they couldn't exploit their usual advantages. Therefore, the Rockets needed this loss…

The Houston Rockets achieved a significant victory with a score of 125-103 against the Portland Trail Blazers. The game was marked by strong individual performances, particularly from Jalen Green who scored 26 points with 5 rebounds, and Alperen Sengun who had an impressive game with 23 points, 6 assists, 15 rebounds, and 2 steals. After the game, Sengun showed sportsmanship by embracing Rui Hachimura from the opposing team's bench. The Rockets started the game strongly, leading by one point at halftime with a score of 51-50. Despite facing some challenges in the first half, including a cold shooting performance from Fred VanVleet, the team managed to maintain their lead. VanVleet, who had struggled with his shot in the first half, managed to contribute with 9 points, 3 assists, and 4 rebounds by the end of the game. Sengun's performance was notable for his aggressive playstyle, which saw him score efficiently and contribute significantly to the team's offense. However, there were concerns about his defensive capabilities, as the Blazers targeted him during their comeback attempts in the third quarter. Despite this, Sengun's overall contribution was crucial to the Rockets' success. The fourth quarter saw the Rockets pull away with a barrage of three-point shots, extending their lead to over 20 points. This decisive run effectively sealed the game, with the team showcasing their offensive prowess and depth. The game concluded with a heartwarming moment as Sengun approached the Blazers' bench and embraced Hachimura, demonstrating the respect and camaraderie between players on opposing teams. Overall, the Rockets' victory was a testament to…

The Houston Rockets achieved a significant victory over the Portland Trail Blazers with a score of 125-103. Jalen Green, known for his efficiency, scored 26 points with 10 out of 17 shots, including 4 out of 6 three-pointers, and contributed 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal. Notably, this marks the ninth consecutive game in which Green has scored over 20 points, setting a new career record for him. The last time he achieved such a streak was in March of the previous year, when he scored over 20 points from the 15th to the 30th of March, during which the Rockets also won 11 consecutive games. This time, Green is expected to maintain his performance even longer. Recently, there has been a noticeable increase in Green's confidence, solidifying his position as the cornerstone of the Rockets. He confidently shoots three-pointers without looking back after each shot, a celebration style reminiscent of last March that he has now reclaimed. This is why Green elicits both love and frustration from Rockets fans. If he were to consistently perform like a rookie, fans would be disappointed. However, Green occasionally surprises with moments of brilliance, making his superstar-level performances intermittent. From the beginning of his rookie season, Green started off well, even scoring 30 points against the Boston Celtics. But his performance dipped after that, only to explode post-All-Star break, though it didn't last long before declining again. In his second season, he started poorly but had brief moments of excellence followed by a slump. In his third year, Green reduced the number…

This season, the Rockets are rich in talent and have many available players, naturally leading to a rise in their record, which currently stands at 24 wins and 12 losses, ranking second in the West, closely following the Thunder. With so many young talents on the Rockets, it's natural that some players don't get enough playing time, or because they have some obvious shortcomings, they can't compete with their opponents and can only watch as they lose their chances and playing time. The top four scorers for the Rockets right now are Jalen Green, Sengun, VanVleet, and Dillon, followed by sophomore swingman Amen Thompson at number five. In yesterday's victory over the Wizards, Amen Thompson scored 20 points, grabbed 15 rebounds, and dished out 5 assists, showing great strength. He has now scored over 20 points in two consecutive games and has grabbed 15 or more rebounds in a single game four times in his career, second only to Wembanyama among rookies in 2023. As a result, not only did Whitmore lose his chance, but Sheppard also had no hope. Sheppard was the third overall pick by the Rockets this season and performed well in the NBA Summer League, having some opportunities in the preseason games, and was seen as a strong contender for Rookie of the Year. However, in the regular season, Sheppard's performance was poor, having played only 30 regular-season games so far, averaging a low 3.3 points per game. Out of necessity, to allow Sheppard to play consistently and maintain his form, the Rockets finally decided to…

On January 8th, Beijing time, the NBA regular season continued with the Houston Rockets visiting the Washington Wizards. In the first quarter, the Wizards took advantage of their home court and established a 10-point lead. In the second quarter, the Rockets staged a remarkable comeback, scoring 37 points with both inside and outside shots, successfully overtaking the score. After halftime, the Rockets grew even stronger, with Green and Shen Jing leading the charge. The Rockets won the third quarter by 16 points, extending the lead to over 20 points. In the final quarter, the Wizards struggled to mount a comeback, allowing the Rockets to easily secure the victory. Ultimately, the Rockets defeated the Wizards 135-112. The Rockets are ranked second in the West, while the Wizards are at the bottom of the East, making them teams of different calibers! Faced with the formidable Rockets, the Wizards were eager to fight but ultimately powerless, falling behind after an initial strong start! Throughout the game, the Rockets dominated the paint with a 62-44 scoring advantage over the Wizards and controlled fast breaks with a 30-21 scoring edge. Additionally, the Rockets forced 18 turnovers with 15 steals, converting them into 35 points; in contrast, the Rockets only committed 10 turnovers, with the Wizards scoring just 13 points off turnovers. Unable to match the Rockets' intensity, the Wizards resorted to heavy reliance on three-point shooting, attempting 40 threes and making 15 with a 37.5% success rate. However, the Rockets managed to bounce back from a slow start, hitting 15 threes at a 39.5% clip,…

How far can a team be saved by a "remedial" adjustment? The Rockets' start to the new season was like a runaway train, with star guard VanVleet (Van Jordan), who was brought in at great expense, constantly making mistakes on the court, and young talent Jalen Green gradually losing his shine. In the shadow of three consecutive losses, everyone was asking: Is this a young team with a future, or just another joke about "rebuilding every year"? However, the good news is that the Rockets have finally found their way recently. Coach Udoka has finally made up his mind to reduce VanVleet's ball rights and hand over the offensive initiative to Jalen Green. How did it turn out? A series of eye-catching performances - 22 points, 27 points, 33 points. People began to talk about the name of this "future star" again. The question is, will this adjustment really bring change to the Rockets, or is it just a short-term "last gasp"? For VanVleet, this may be one of the few "helpless moments" in his career. As a guard signed for a lot of money during the offseason, he was originally the "stabilizer" on both ends of the team's offense and defense. But the reality is that Udoka significantly reduced his number of shots in recent games, with data that is astonishingly low: 8 times, 7 times, 11 times. This doesn't seem like the kind of data a core guard should have. This adjustment seems sudden, but there are actually signs behind it. At the beginning of the season, the…

19 Points and 11 Rebounds! Amen Hopes to Replace Van Jordan, Rockets Want to Increase Ball-Handling Points, Bulls Offer Price Reading this article before, please click on "follow" for your convenience in discussing and sharing, which can also bring you a different sense of participation. Thank you for your support! The arrival of Biston has brought a new breeze to Houston. This new general manager reshaped the Rockets' lineup, changing the old model that relied on star players. He values young players and believes that through patient training, a new dynasty can be nurtured. The current Rockets are slowly showing the initial results of Stone's strategy. With a record of 12 wins and 6 losses, they are proud of most teams in the West, and fans have high hopes for this young group. Stone's operations along the way are worth reviewing. In 2020, he made a brilliant move with the Covington trade, as well as the unfortunate deal of Westbrook for Wall. However, what is most praised is that in the 2024 draft year, he successively obtained two rookies, Amen Thompson and Whitmore. This young combination is seen as the key to the future puzzle and is also the most successful part of Stone's "youthification" path. Stone advocates not pushing rookies into the starting lineup all at once but gradually in actual combat to hone and grow. Amen is the best example. This point guard is eager to replace veteran Van Jordan, but Coach Udoka understands his characteristics and starts from the bench warrior, gradually increasing Amen's playing time. In…

The Houston Rockets suffered a resounding defeat against the Boston Celtics with a score of 86-109, a result that appears to be just another routine loss in the regular season. However, what lingers in the minds of fans after this match is not the crushing defeat itself, but the head coach Stephen Silas' post-game comments about Norman Powell. These remarks, akin to a stone thrown into a lake, have created ripples and sparked deep contemplation about the current state and future prospects of the Rockets. In this game, the Rockets were thoroughly outplayed. The defeat was not only reflected in the significant point difference but also in the team's lackluster performance from the outset. In the first quarter, the Celtics demonstrated their formidable offensive and defensive prowess, firmly controlling the game's tempo. The Rockets' offense struggled, lacking effective organization and coordination, resorting to individual efforts out of necessity. Defensively, they were riddled with vulnerabilities, allowing the Celtics' players to score at will. Despite Jalen Green's impressive 27 points, his personal excellence could not offset the team's overall slump. It was as if a lone hero fought valiantly amidst a vast army yet could not turn the tide. Of course, we cannot overlook the impact of objective factors. The absences of Smith, Aman, and Ison significantly diminished the Rockets' strength. However, this should not excuse the team's poor showing. Other players, especially the high-paid veterans, should step up, take responsibility, and lead the team forward in such times. Yet, what we witnessed was Norman Powell once again lost on the court.…

The Houston Rockets faced off against the Dallas Mavericks in a Texas derby on January 2nd, as the NBA regular season continued with intense competition. The Rockets secured a significant victory over the Mavericks with a score of 110-99, completing their third double-kill of the season. This win not only solidified the Rockets' position but also presented favorable opportunities for the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers to push for the fourth spot in the Western Conference standings, where there is now a two-win difference between the fourth and eighth positions, significantly altering the landscape of the conference. In the game against the Mavericks, five Rockets players scored in double figures, contributing to their third double-kill of the season. The match was intense from the start, with the Mavericks initially leading 7-2 after a three-pointer by Klay Thompson. However, the Rockets fought back with inside scoring and gradually closed the gap. Both teams engaged in fierce battles throughout the game, with the Mavericks maintaining their lead in the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Rockets managed to catch up and eventually overtake the Mavericks, leading by 9 points at halftime. The Rockets continued to expand their lead in the third quarter, ending it with a 14-point advantage. In the final quarter, despite the Mavericks' attempts to close the gap with consecutive three-pointers, the Rockets maintained a strong inside attack and secured the victory with a comfortable margin. Notable scorers for the Rockets included Alperen Sengun with 23 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists, and Jalen Green with 22 points and…

On January 2nd, Beijing time, the NBA regular season continued with the Rockets hosting the Mavericks. Both teams had similar records, with the Rockets at 21 wins and 11 losses, and the Mavericks at 20 wins and 13 losses. Additionally, both teams were in poor form recently, having suffered two consecutive defeats. Therefore, this intra-Texas battle was sure to end the losing streak for one of the teams. In the first quarter, the Rockets started coldly while the Mavericks took an early lead with a hot hand, leading 16-6 for a 10-point advantage; however, Green and Xiao Smith's scoring helped the Rockets stop the bleeding, followed by Dillion scoring six points to tie the game. But in the final stages, the Mavericks had another small run to lead 30-24 and end the first quarter six points ahead. In the first half of the second quarter, the Mavericks relied on consecutive three-pointers to lead 40-30 by 10 points; then the game took a sharp turn as Whitmore and Shenjing played very actively for the Rockets, combining for a 17-4 run to overtake the score. Then it was Green, Whitmore, and Dillion who exploded, helping the Rockets end the half leading the Mavericks 61-52 by nine points. In the first half of the third quarter, Xiao Smith, Shenjing, and Dillion worked together to help the Rockets take a 16-point lead; after Irving and Clay scored consecutively to narrow the gap, it was again Dillion, Xiao Smith, and Shenjing who stepped up to stabilize the situation. In the final stages, Dillion and Tate's…