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 recent performance of the Houston Rockets has been quite impressive. Taking the home game against the Lakers as an example, throughout the match, the Rockets relied on their tenacious defense and outstanding rebounding to secure a crucial victory with a score of 119-115. The significance of this result is remarkable, as it solidified the Rockets' second place in the Western Conference and further widened the gap with the third-ranked Memphis Grizzlies. Through this game, people seem to have glimpsed the glimmer of hope that emerged after the team's rebuilding efforts. While the Rockets' defensive performance is commendable, their offensive issues remain prominent. Their three-point shooting percentage ranks third from the bottom in the league, and their assist numbers are also lacking, placing them at the bottom of the rankings. Such data is far from satisfactory. The Rockets' offensive struggles could potentially become a significant obstacle in their quest for a deep playoff run. This lack of offensive prowess may indeed pose a formidable challenge on their path forward in the playoffs. At this juncture, the Rockets are urgently in need of personnel reinforcements, particularly focusing on bolstering their offense and enhancing the depth of their overall roster to better develop and strengthen the team. Recently, American media outlet BR proposed a trade that could potentially provide the Rockets with an opportunity to break out of their current predicament. It is suggested that the Rockets consider trading away Cameron Whitmore, who is currently in a state of "unfulfilled potential," in exchange for Jonathan Isaac from the Orlando Magic. The details…

The Houston Rockets have been facing a series of misfortunes recently, with suspensions and injuries leaving them with only nine players for their latest game. Among the most unfortunate is rookie TyTy Washington, who has been benched for two consecutive games and has been DNP (Did Not Play) for the fourth time this season. Despite being a sharpshooter in college, his performance in the NBA has not lived up to expectations, with low shooting percentages and underwhelming playmaking abilities. Washington's college career was marked by impressive three-point shooting, earning him a fan following. However, since joining the NBA, he has struggled to maintain his form, with a three-point shooting percentage of only 28%. This has led to limited playing time, averaging just 12 minutes per game and contributing 3.4 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists. Coach Stephen Silas has made it clear that he will not give opportunities to underperforming players, even when the team is short-handed. This approach puts pressure on young players like Washington to prove themselves if they want to secure a place in the rotation. With other bench players stepping up in recent games, Washington faces a tough challenge to regain his spot. The article ends on an encouraging note, urging Washington to improve his shooting accuracy and showcase his playmaking skills to avoid being relegated to the G League. It emphasizes the competitive nature of the NBA, where survival of the fittest is the norm. Washington's future in the league depends on his ability to adapt and overcome his current struggles.

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…

In the fiercely competitive Western Conference of the NBA, the Houston Rockets and the Oklahoma City Thunder have always been two promising teams that attract attention. However, after in-depth analysis, it is not difficult to find that compared to the Thunder, the Rockets show a more terrifying development potential and future prospects. The following three reasons are enough to prove that the Rockets are the true masters of the West's future. Salary Structure: The Rockets' Advantages Are Obvious, While the Thunder Hides Crises Next season, the Thunder will face huge pressure on their salary cap space. With the big contracts of the team's players gradually taking effect, the total salary will significantly increase. Looking back at the glory and helpless disbandment of the "Thunder Trio" in the past, a similar plot is very likely to be repeated in the current Thunder team. Once the salary pressure exceeds the bearable range, the team will most likely choose to rebuild to balance the finances, which will undoubtedly disrupt the team's development trajectory. On the other hand, the Rockets currently have VanVleet with the largest contract, which expires at the end of the season and is still an option for the team next season. Shen Jing's big contract starting next season is only more than 30 million, Green has a total of more than 30 million in the next two seasons, Amen's contract is only about 10 million, and the salaries of other young players are also in the millions. As long as the Rockets choose to get rid of VanVleet's contract, the…

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…

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…

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…

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…