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…

The Houston Rockets announced before their home game against the Memphis Grizzlies that their forward Tari Eason would continue to miss the game. Although Eason has now resumed training, and coach Udoka has increased the intensity of his training on non-game days, it must be said that Eason is still plagued by injuries. He may not be able to play for the Rockets for a while. Although Eason's current injury is not serious, last season's serious injury left him with psychological scars, and he still occasionally feels pain in his left leg. Udoka said he doesn't know when Eason will be able to officially return to the team and play, so Eason has now missed 12 games, and no one knows if he will be able to play in the next game. The Rockets' small forward Jabari Smith has also been out for a week, and may have to miss another month or so before he can play again. The Rockets' schedule in January was already quite tough, with a dense schedule and facing many playoff-level strong teams. However, surprisingly, the Rockets did not fall into a losing streak as a result. Under Udoka's leadership, this team not only had a very good record in January, but after defeating the Grizzlies, they also welcomed a four-game winning streak, maintaining their position at second in the West, with their lead over the third-placed Grizzlies expanding to two wins. This was unexpected by everyone, as many people thought that with the Rockets' weakened lineup and facing so many strong teams, they were…

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…

On January 14, 2025, NBA regular season action continued with two highly anticipated Western Conference matchups. The Rockets narrowly defeated the Grizzlies 120-118, thanks to Jalen Green's efficient performance, securing their fourth consecutive win; while the Warriors suffered a loss on the road against the Raptors, falling 101-104 and experiencing a losing streak. The Warriors versus the Raptors match was once a close contest. Initially, the Warriors took a temporary lead but were quickly overtaken by the Raptors, trailing 26-28 at the end of the first quarter. In subsequent quarters, both teams exchanged blows, especially in the third and fourth quarters where the score remained tight until the final minute determined the outcome. A key dunk by Adebayo helped the Raptors establish a three-point lead, and although the Warriors made efforts to catch up, they ultimately failed to reverse the situation and lost the game regrettably. Curry's performance remained outstanding, contributing 26 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists, but the support from other players was insufficient, particularly as the 37-year-old Curry showed signs of fatigue during the game. At the same time, the Warriors' recruitment did not meet expectations, with Schroder failing to provide significant assistance to the team. If the Warriors do not make adjustments soon, they may struggle to maintain competitiveness in the fierce Western Conference race and could even miss out on a play-in tournament spot. The game between the Rockets and the Grizzlies was filled with drama. Although the Rockets initially trailed, ending the first quarter seven points behind at 23-30, they quickly adjusted their state…

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…