On January 2, 2025, Beijing time, several NBA games continued to be played, with important matches as follows: Mavericks 99 - 110 Rockets This was a match between the No. 3 and No. 4 teams in the West, with both sides very close in strength. The game started with fierce competition from both sides. Although the Rockets had the advantage of playing at home, they were very passive at the beginning. Fortunately, when the East was not bright, Whitmore became a trump card, continuously scoring to help the Rockets keep up with their opponents. Then Green played bravely, leading the Rockets to overtake in the second quarter. In the second half, the Rockets stabilized the situation on the court, with multiple points blooming to take control of the game. They eventually won the Mavericks at home by 11 points, further widening the gap between the two sides. Nets 113 - 130 Raptors After the opening, both sides played very fiercely, with each other taking the lead in the first three quarters, but without a significant difference. In the crucial fourth quarter, the Raptors launched a 20-6 offensive climax, sweeping away the game, thus ending their embarrassing 11-game losing streak. Magic 96 - 105 Pistons The Magic, ranked fourth in the East, lost to the Pistons with a low win rate, causing a big upset. Today's NBA Results Latest Rankings The latest NBA standings show that while the Eastern Conference rankings are gradually becoming clear, the Western Conference is still fiercely contested, with a small margin, and the situation can change…

The NBA regular season game between the Rockets and the Mavericks at the Rockets' home court was a thrilling encounter. The Rockets started passively but turned the game around with Whitmore's explosive performance, eventually securing a decisive victory. This showcased their ability to win without relying on a single core player, highlighting the impressive growth of the young team. In the second quarter, the Rockets unleashed an astonishing offensive surge that dramatically changed the course of the game. Whitmore's performance during this phase was particularly eye-catching, scoring 13 points in various ways in a single quarter. His burst of energy completely dismantled the Mavericks' defensive system. The Rockets have displayed unexpected resilience this season, maintaining their rhythm even after losing key rotational player Amen Thompson. Their depth advantage was evident in the match against the Mavericks. The Mavericks faced significant issues, with Doncic's absence making their offense quite one-dimensional. While Irving maintained his excellent individual offensive capabilities, the team struggled when he was heavily guarded, leading to offensive stagnation. The Rockets initially seemed passive, with consecutive missed shots raising concerns about a continuation of their previous slump. However, Green's breakthrough layup injected a strong dose of confidence into the team. Shen Jing's performance in the game was both surprising and delightful. His accurate shooting in the first half left a deep impression, although his performance dipped in the second half. Overall, it was still a commendable game. The Mavericks' perimeter did make a small comeback in the final moments, with Thompson and Dinwiddie's consecutive three-pointers giving a glimmer of hope.…

The Mavericks suffered another defeat at the hands of the Rockets, a game that exposed their current predicament. The scoreline of 99-110 may seem close, but in reality, there was no suspense. The Rockets did not have to exert much effort; they simply relied on their stable performance and efficient offense to easily secure the victory, while the Mavericks seemed to lose the game step by step themselves. In this match, Irving and Thompson combined for 9 turnovers, which became the core reason for the Mavericks' failure. Each turnover felt like digging their own grave. Irving's indecisiveness on offense and Thompson's frequent misses from three-point range made the entire Mavericks' offense seem directionless. You might wonder, how could these two former superstars falter so today? They are capable of better performances, but it is clear that they are no longer the figures who can lead the team forward. At the start of the game, the Mavericks played reasonably well. Thompson's three-pointers were almost like a stabilizing force, and Washington's breakthroughs brought some vitality to the team, giving the Mavericks a temporary lead. However, everything was shattered by the Rockets' quick counterattacks. Jalen Green found his rhythm, and Shen Jing's performance in the paint made the Mavericks' defense helpless. Every time you thought the Mavericks could stabilize the situation, they would lose their composure. The Rockets played simply and directly, with many scoring options, while the Mavericks' defense was as fragile as paper, allowing anyone to score. By the second quarter, the Rockets completely took control of the game. Shen Jing…

The Clippers have recently impressed with their performance, achieving a record of 19 wins and 14 losses without Kawhi Leonard. This has come as a surprise to many, as no one expected the Clippers to perform so well without their star player. Interestingly, the Clippers now rank sixth in the Western Conference, a position that few would have predicted at the start of the season, as most believed the team would struggle without Leonard. The Mavericks' loss to the Rockets has been beneficial for the Clippers, who are now only half a game behind the fourth spot in the West, giving them a real chance to climb higher. The Clippers' success is particularly surprising given that they have been playing with an incomplete roster, not just missing Leonard but also dealing with frequent injuries to other players. During this time, the team's bench players have performed exceptionally well, holding their own under pressure and exceeding expectations, much to the delight of the coaching staff. The Clippers have adopted a more team-oriented approach, with everyone contributing to victories, making it difficult for opponents to defend against them, as any player could step up at any moment. The team's defensive intensity has remained consistently strong, which is crucial to their success, as good defense reduces the pressure on the offensive end. The Clippers' bench depth has been well-exercised during this period, which will undoubtedly benefit them in the playoffs, as you never know when you'll need your substitutes to step up. Leonard is expected to return in the game against the Hawks…

In the current NBA league, only superstar players are worthy of a supermax contract. Players who haven't even made it to the All-Star game and receive a supermax contract will only face criticism and doubt. For example, Jamal Murray received a supermax contract worth $208 million over 4 years during the offseason, but his efficiency has declined this season. There are also guards like Beal and LaVine, who are strong on offense but weak on defense, and their max contracts are very overpriced. Superstars like Jokic and Antetokounmpo, on the other hand, are undoubtedly deserving of their supermax contracts. The best team in the Western Conference is the Thunder, with a record of 27 wins and 5 losses, far ahead of other teams. The Thunder recently won 12 consecutive games and have a chance to catch up to the Cavaliers' longest winning streak of the season (15 games). Although Holmgren has not yet returned, the Thunder are getting better and stronger. This is because the Thunder's star player, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, has recently exploded with MVP-level stats and skills. Additionally, Harten has been playing exceptionally well for the Thunder, serving as a pillar in the paint and compensating for Holmgren's absence. According to NBA data experts from American media, the Thunder have a record of 16 wins and 1 loss in the games that Harten has played this season. This indicates that the system of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Harten, and Dort is improving and becoming more cohesive. In the last five games, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has averaged 36.6 points with a…

As one of the current NBA's most capable leaders, Butler failed to lead his team further in the playoffs last season due to injury and was publicly ridiculed by team president Riley. He was even denied a long-term maximum salary contract during the offseason. Facing the team's various difficulties, Butler also knew that his career in Miami had come to an end. Therefore, his agent team has repeatedly stated that they will not stay with the Heat since the start of the season, even if the team offers a new top salary contract. At the same time, Butler seems to have instructed his agent to spread rumors everywhere and has already found an ideal next home in advance. According to NBA reporter Shams, Butler's team hopes that the Heat can complete the trade before the trade deadline this season. And according to previous sources, Butler's ideal next homes such as the Suns, Rockets, Warriors, and Mavericks are all Western Conference teams. Although there was initially interest in the Nets, the management's treatment of Simmons impressed him, but with the Nets officially rebuilding, the championship-aspiring Butler would obviously not consider spending his final peak years with the Nets to accompany the growth of newcomers. Although Butler has not yet formally forced the team to trade in public, his refusal to renew the contract and his desire to leave before the trade deadline can be considered as giving the Heat enough face. Despite Riley's repeated humiliations, Butler still hopes that both sides can part amicably. However, after Butler chose not to play…

The Houston Rockets defeated the Dallas Mavericks 110-99, achieving a double victory over their opponents this season. The Rockets currently have a record of 22 wins and 11 losses. Last season, the Rockets had a record of 26 wins and 26 losses in the first half, but managed to improve to 21 wins and 11 losses in the second half. This transformation at the start of the current season is a result of finding their form in the latter part of last season. Despite finishing with a record of 41 wins and 41 losses last season, which would have secured them a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, they were edged out by the Golden State Warriors for a playoff berth in the Western Conference. In March of last season, the Rockets went on an impressive 11-game winning streak. Their current advantage lies in their deep rotation, with Ethan continuing to struggle with injuries and Amen being suspended. However, Whitmore has stepped up to fill the void left by the two, showcasing his explosive scoring ability. Additionally, White Magic's size and wing-like physique have been crucial in defense. White Magic has truly fulfilled Udoka's request to enhance the team's defensive capabilities. He was predicted to be a top-five pick in the 23rd draft due to his immediate impact as a forward, particularly in defense and three-point shooting. However, White Magic's past behavior was often described as too individualistic, and he did not always give his best effort defensively. After being benched by Udoka, he finally realized the importance of his…

Translation of the article content into English: On January 2, 2025, Beijing time, the NBA regular season witnessed a crucial match between two Western Conference powerhouses, the Rockets and the Mavericks. In this pivotal battle for positioning, the Rockets successfully defeated the Mavericks with a score of 110-99, ending their two-game losing streak and intensifying the Western Conference standings. In this game, five players from the Rockets stood out with their key performances, not only contributing critical statistics but also playing irreplaceable roles on the court. Let's take a detailed look at the outstanding performances of these five players. Shen Jing: The Core on Both Offense and Defense In this game, Shen Jing once again demonstrated his comprehensive abilities as the team's core. He not only scored the highest among the team but also played a significant role on both the offensive and defensive ends. With a shooting percentage of 56%, he contributed 23 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists throughout the game, bringing a positive impact to the team in almost every possession. Although he made some mistakes during the game, it did not affect his overall performance. Shen Jing's key steals and offensive coordination allowed the Rockets to firmly control the rhythm of the game after halftime. Dillon: The Efficient Scoring Engine of the Offense Dillon was undoubtedly an important engine for the Rockets' offense in this game. With a high efficiency of 6 out of 15 shots made, he contributed 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 steal, especially in moments when the team needed scoring, Dillon's performance…

On January 2nd, Beijing time, the NBA regular season continues, let's take a look at the performance of the Western Conference teams and the latest standings changes. The main information is as follows: The Rockets defeated the Mavericks 110-99, sending them to their third consecutive loss; the Nuggets defeated the Hawks 139-120 for their third consecutive win; the Kings reversed the 76ers 113-107; and the Pelicans lost to the Heat 108-119, suffering their eleventh consecutive loss. The competition in the West is very fierce, and the rankings can change every day. The Thunder and Grizzlies did not play today and remain in the top two spots. The third-placed Rockets won 110-99 at home against the Mavericks without Doncic, ending their two-game losing streak and improving their record to 22 wins and 11 losses, just half a game behind the Grizzlies and 5.5 games behind the Thunder. The losing Mavericks suffered their third consecutive loss with a record of 20 wins and 14 losses, falling out of the top four to fifth place. In fact, the teams ranked fourth to seventh, the Nuggets, Mavericks, Clippers, and Lakers, have a maximum difference of only one win between them. The Nuggets played a 41-24 offensive wave at home in the third quarter, defeating the Hawks 139-120 for their third consecutive win. Jokic shot 8 for 16, easily scoring 23 points, 17 rebounds, and 15 assists. Murray and Porter Jr. scored 21 points each, and Westbrook shot 5 for 6, scoring 16 points and 11 assists with only 1 turnover. Although the Nuggets are…

NBA regular season, the Rockets defeated the Mavericks 110-99 at home. Although the Rockets trailed in the first quarter, they were able to complete a comeback and extend their lead with their performance in the second and third quarters. They also managed to stabilize the Mavericks' counterattack in the final quarter, ultimately securing the victory. After the game, three players received perfect scores. Dillon's performance is getting better and better, and he has become an all-around player on both offense and defense. Defensively, he was able to lock down Irving, making it very difficult for him throughout the game. Offensively, his scoring ability is also good, as he scored 19 points and 6 rebounds. He also made several key shots, fully demonstrating his value. Shen Jing was also crucial, as he could continuously score in the final moments to help the team maintain their advantage. He scored the highest of the game with 23 points, plus 6 rebounds and 4 assists, and his plus-minus was also the highest of the game. Shen Jing has also become much more committed defensively, which is a point worth praising. Whitmore also played the role of a trump card. In this game, he efficiently scored 18 points with 7 out of 9 shots, including three-pointers and dribble drives, and he also completed his defensive tasks. The talent he displayed is not bad, and he deserves continued heavy use. Green, Smith, Holiday, and Adams all had passing performances. Green still had the old problem of starting strong but fading, with too many turnovers in the…