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…

This season, the Houston Rockets have delivered an impressive performance, securing a solid second place in the Western Conference, despite not reaching the finals of the mid-season tournament. Their success is evident, and General Manager Stone's moves have inspired multiple rebuilding teams to follow suit. The combination of promising rookies and experienced veterans has directly contributed to the rapid rise of Houston. The growth of seven newcomers has far exceeded expectations, prompting the team management to abandon the idea of trading for superstar players. Instead, they aim to develop the potential of their players through continuous high-intensity competition, striving to establish them as cornerstones of the team. However, this decision does not apply to everyone, especially the No. 3 pick from the 24th draft, Shepherd, who gained attention for his excellent ball-handling skills and precise shooting, even being hailed as a player comparable to Curry. The harsh reality dealt a blow to the young player, as he only managed to score 3.3 points per game in 11 minutes over 30 games with the Rockets. His once-prided finishing techniques were hindered by his slender physique, becoming a mental barrier that even led to him falling out of Coach Udoka's regular rotation. A shooter lacking in self-confidence is not enough to win every game, making him a target of criticism from various media outlets. As a high draft pick, failing to achieve a single-game record of 20 points is hard to justify. For the long-term development of the team, there were even rumors of trading Shepherd. Despite the Sacramento Kings offering attractive…

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…

Have the Rockets really found the "key piece" to their resurgence? The management's plan to trade for Miles Turner has ignited hope among countless fans, but it has also drawn criticism. Some believe this is a bold gamble in the team's rebuilding process; others say it's just another routine exploratory move by the management. So, is choosing Turner a correct trend or could it bring new problems? The Rockets' management and fans are well aware that although the team has performed averagely in recent years, it is at a critical stage of rebuilding. The potential of young players is undeniable, with names like Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, and Jabari Smith sounding full of promise. However, the growth of young players often requires time, while victories in the league won't wait. Therefore, finding balance between the growth of a young lineup and immediate combat effectiveness has become a must-answer question for the Rockets. And Miles Turner is one of the answers provided by the management. In fact, the Rockets have reached this point largely due to the coaching of new head coach Ime Udoka. Last season, the Rockets' performance could only be described as "a mess," with young players showing great enthusiasm but lacking cohesion, their offense scattered, and defense riddled with holes. After Udoka arrived, the Rockets' style changed dramatically. This coach, who created miracles in the Celtics, instilled discipline and team basketball concepts into the Rockets. He clarified the tactical tone of the team, cultivated players' tactical awareness, and most importantly, reshaped the team culture of the Rockets. From…

The Houston Rockets have made a significant move that has left fans buzzing: they've offered a package of Dillon Brooks, Whitmore, and two draft picks to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for All-Star center Domantas Sabonis. Is this deal worth it? Will the Rockets' gamble pay off, or could they end up losing everything? Regardless, the message from this trade is clear: the Rockets are no longer content with being in rebuilding mode; their sights are set on the playoffs and even the championship. The reason for so much discussion around this trade lies in the Rockets' offer. Dillon Brooks is a tough defensive player, Whitmore is a first-round pick this year, and there are two draft picks included—this is already a substantial offer. With over ten first-round picks at their disposal, the Rockets have a "rich" foundation that gives them more weight in the trade market. Looking at the Kings' situation, it may be the key opportunity that the Rockets have seized upon. The Kings' core point guard, De'Aaron Fox, has recently missed several games due to injury, causing the team's performance to plummet. While Sabonis is an excellent player as the Kings' interior anchor, he is also one of the team's tradeable assets. For the Kings, who are considering their future direction, trading Sabonis for young potential and draft picks might just be a chance for a fresh start. In this context, the trade seems not to be a castle in the air but entirely possible. If the trade goes through, Sabonis will join forces with the Rockets'…

The Houston Rockets secured a hard-fought victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on the road, solidifying their second-place ranking in the Western Conference. The dynamic duo of Jalen Green and Sengun combined for 59 points, 16 rebounds, and 8 assists, while Tate emerged from the bench as a key player, helping the Rockets maintain their lead until the end of the game. The two teams are set to face each other again next Tuesday for their third matchup this season, with the Grizzlies eager to save face after two consecutive losses. However, with Tari Eason expected to recover from his injury and the Rockets playing at home, their chances of winning remain high. Additionally, aside from Smart's absence due to injury, the Grizzlies fielded their full-strength lineup but were still unable to secure a win against a depleted Rockets team, leaving General Manager Zach Kleiman looking to offload Smart, who has struggled to adapt since joining Memphis. Recently, American media outlet "NBA Analysis Network" suggested that the Grizzlies should focus on strengthening their roster with star player Kyle Kuzma from the Washington Wizards. The Wizards have been performing poorly, ranking last in the league, for which Kuzma bears significant responsibility. The media proposed a three-team trade involving the Rockets as the third party. If negotiations progress smoothly, defensive powerhouse Marcus Smart will be sent to Houston. The specific trade proposal is as follows: The Grizzlies send Marcus Smart + Vince Williams Jr. + a protected first-round pick in 2026 (protected 1-16) to acquire Kyle Kuzma. The Rockets send Cameron Whitmore +…

The Houston Rockets are currently one of the teams with the fewest average points allowed in the league, and they are also among the best in terms of average defensive efficiency. Therefore, although the Rockets may not perform well offensively this season, especially in their three-point shooting, where their current 32% three-point shooting percentage ranks second-to-last in the league, they still rely on their impenetrable defense and strong overall strength to maintain their position as second in the Western Conference. Moreover, the Rockets have recently won consecutive games against strong teams, such as the Lakers, Grizzlies, and Mavericks, all of which are top teams in the West. Even with the absence of two frontline core players, Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason, Coach Udoka is not worried because he knows that the depth of the Rockets' roster is at a first-class level. Even if two players are out, there are still many substitute players who can step up. Furthermore, talented players like Michael Weir and Sheppard from the Rockets are playing in the Development League and can be recalled for important roles at any time. In fact, the main reason for the Rockets' excellent record this season is their defense, which is so strong that it no longer needs to be elaborated upon. It is believed that by looking at the Rockets' current record and performance, everyone knows how powerful their defense is. Even without two key defensive players like Eason and Smith Jr., Udoka can still rely on three other top defenders. For example, in the previous game where…

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…

NBA's arena is ever-changing, and the Rockets have taken a clear lead over the Wizards at halftime, a result that has sent ripples across the calm waters like a stone. Even more remarkable is the stunning performance of three young players within the Rockets, who shine like brilliant new stars, illuminating the path to the team's future. Sheppard, Amen Thompson, and G. Adams, these three young talents' outstanding displays have filled people with endless imagination about the Rockets' future. Sheppard: Honed in the Development League, Returning More Brilliant Sheppard, this young rookie player, has been tempered in the Development League and returned as if reborn. With his efficient scoring ability, he easily racks up high points, along with precise three-point shooting. On the defensive end, he also spares no effort, often delivering blocks to showcase his excellent defensive potential. Sheppard's comprehensive performance has given people hope for his future success on the NBA court. His growth and progress will undoubtedly inject new vitality into the Rockets. Amen Thompson: Transformed After Suspension, Becoming a Core Player on Both Offense and Defense Amen Thompson, once a controversial young player due to suspension, now appears before people with a whole new look. He demonstrates an extremely strong scoring ability on the offensive end, whether it's breaking through for layups or dunking inside, all eye-catching. On the defensive end, he also performs outstandingly, becoming the backbone of the team. Amen Thompson's transformation has shown his potential to become the core of the Rockets' future. His versatility and outstanding talent will undoubtedly provide powerful momentum…