NBA action continues as the Lakers travel to Houston to face off against the Rockets. The teams are evenly matched in terms of strength, and the game starts with both sides trading blows. However, towards the end of the first quarter, the Lakers experience a power outage, allowing the Rockets to go on a scoring spree, resulting in a 14-point deficit for the Lakers by the end of the quarter. In the second quarter, the Lakers show some improvement, but their poor shooting from beyond the arc and weak rebounding efforts leave them trailing by 18 points at halftime. The third quarter sees LeBron James take charge of the offense, nailing four three-pointers and leading the team to within two points. The final quarter is fiercely competitive, with both teams exchanging blows and keeping the suspense alive until the very end. A crucial turnover leads to the Lakers' defeat, 115-119, ending their two-game winning streak. Let's examine the data to see who should be held accountable for the loss. LeBron James: His strong performance in the third quarter brought the team back into the game, but a missed forced three-pointer and an offensive foul in the fourth quarter put the team in a precarious position. He finished with 8 out of 16 shots made, scoring 21 points, grabbing 13 rebounds, and dishing out 9 assists, with a plus-minus of -13. Anthony Davis: Despite delivering a full-court effort on both ends of the floor and giving Shengjing a tough lesson, the lack of victory overshadows his performance. He scored 30 points,…

On January 6th, Beijing time, the NBA regular season saw the Lakers challenge the Rockets on the road. The Lakers' starting lineup for today's game was Reeves, Christie, Hachimura, James, and Davis. The Rockets started with VanVleet, Jalen Green, Dillon, Amen, and Shen Jing. This game was crucial for the Lakers as it would test their team. The Rockets were ranked second in the West, undoubtedly a strong team. If the Lakers could defeat the Rockets, it would indicate that their lineup had the potential to compete for the championship. In the first quarter, the Rockets' Amen scored continuously after being suspended for two games. Upon his return, he was in scorching form with a strong offensive desire, suggesting that the days without playing had left him raring to go. The Lakers also responded well, with Little scoring layups and three-pointers. Hachimura was also hot today, making two consecutive three-point shots with great determination. The teams exchanged blows, with the score leading each other. During the stalemate, the Rockets' Green began to show his prowess. In a single quarter, Green shot 8-for-7, including 3-for-4 from beyond the arc, scoring 18 points. His hot hand just wouldn't stop. Amen defended LeBron today, causing Old James considerable discomfort. In the first quarter, he only attempted two shots, making one, not having much presence. Old James still needs to shoot more. The Rockets went on wave after wave of scoring, successfully widening the gap. At the end of the first quarter, the Lakers trailed the Rockets by 14 points with a score of…

The Rockets faced off against the Lakers in a game where they once led by 20 points but almost suffered a comeback at the end. One player on their team could be considered a mole, and that is their center, Shen Jing. In this game, he scored 14 points, but his plus-minus was the worst on the team. His defensive capabilities were virtually non-existent, as he was completely dominated by Anthony Davis. Moreover, he often showed no initiative on defense and even missed free throws, appearing weak and lacking spirit on the court. Fortunately, two tough players, Jalen Green and Adams, performed exceptionally well today. The Rockets' head coach, Udoka, gave them special praise, stating that these two players are like a miniature version of the OK duo in the game. Especially Jalen Green, who really unleashed his offensive firepower. Despite being called for five fouls in the first three quarters, he returned like a king in the fourth quarter, scoring six points in a row at a critical moment to stabilize the situation for the team. Adams, on the other hand, played extremely aggressively in the game. As an interior tough guy, his strength is considerable, and he is also very tough defensively, leaving Davis with no temper. He can be said to be the stabilizing force in the Rockets' interior. Honestly, the Rockets should not let Shen Jing guard Davis in future games against the Lakers; he was treated like a toy by the opponent. They should let tough guys like Adams face off against Anthony Davis, as…

The competition in the NBA Western Conference is currently very fierce. Besides the Thunder leading the West for two consecutive years without any surprises, the other teams are closely following each other. For instance, the Houston Rockets, who are temporarily ranked third in the West, have a minimal gap with the teams behind them. Coupled with some injury situations, the Rockets may fall behind in the second half of the season if they only rely on their current lineup. During an appearance on Kevin O'Connor's podcast, renowned journalist Tom Haberstroh revealed the Rockets' future team-building strategy. This includes center Alperen Sengun, who has become untouchable for the team. The three players Jalen Green, Fred VanVleet, and Reed Shepard could be sold by the Rockets at any time. After all, if the team wants to create salary cap space or roster spots to pursue big-name stars, these individuals are likely to become sacrificial lambs. Alperen Sengun has earned his current status and recognition entirely through his own efforts. Initially just a substitute, he has become a core player for the Rockets. So far this season, Alperen Sengun averages 18.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, 5 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1 block per game. Apart from his outside shooting and defense needing some improvement, his overall performance is impeccable. If Alperen Sengun and the Rockets maintain their level of play without significant declines, it is highly likely that he will be selected for the All-Star Game and the All-NBA Team for the first time in his career this season. Moreover, Alperen Sengun is already…

The Lakers had a glimpse of victory in the game, but ultimately, their hopes were snuffed out by Jalen Green's continuous scoring. Although they trailed by 20 points at one point, the Lakers nearly pulled off a remarkable comeback. The reason why the Lakers failed to achieve a 20-point comeback in this game can be attributed to two players who could be considered moles. The first is Christie, who, in the final moments, threw an inbound pass directly to the Rockets' VanVleet, effectively ending any chance of a Lakers' comeback. The second is Hachimura, a forward who was essentially a spectator on defense, allowing opponents to score at will and sometimes not even bothering to raise his hand. His defense became a cash machine for the Rockets. LeBron James, despite putting up a near-triple-double with 20 points, 13 rebounds, and 9 assists, struggled to carry these two liabilities. After the loss, both Christie and James looked at each other in disbelief, unable to fathom how such a passing error could be so catastrophic. It should be noted that Christie played well throughout the game, especially defensively, showing great effort and tenacity. However, it was a significant mistake during the crucial inbound pass that cost them. Bachunlei, on the other hand, is a player who elicits frustration, seemingly incapable of contributing anything meaningful. It's unclear why he's even on the court, as every time he plays, the Lakers seem to lose ground. It might be better to dismantle him or trade him for other capable players. The Lakers are reportedly interested…

NBA regular season, the Rockets defeated the Lakers 119-115 at home. In this game, the Rockets completely played well in the first half, crushing the Lakers to maintain the lead. Although there was a slack in the third quarter, they were still able to stabilize their advantage in the final quarter and eventually narrowly win against the Lakers. Two players had perfect scores throughout the game. Green scored 33 points with 6 rebounds and 4 assists, and he scored double digits in both the first and third quarters. In the final moments, Green could continuously make key shots, which helped the Rockets stabilize the point difference. His performance is commendable, and it's estimated that he would convince countless people. Amen was also a major focus, scoring a season-high 23 points and a career-high 16 rebounds, completely playing like an interior player. He also caused James to commit an offensive foul in the final moments, which is also commendable. VanVleet, Whitmore, Adams, Holiday, and Tate all had passing performances. VanVleet didn't have many highlights throughout the game, but he made a crucial steal in the final moments, scoring 15 points with 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block from 5 out of 11 attempts, which is still acceptable. Adams was still a major focus, although he was just a substitute, he had 7 offensive rebounds in 16 minutes and caused multiple rebound fouls on his opponents. The help this veteran provided to the interior was too terrifying. Whitmore's performance in this game was also quite good, as he once…

On January 6th, Beijing time, the Rockets defeated the Lakers 119-115 at home, refusing a 22-point comeback and maintaining their second place in the Western Conference. LeBron James had 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 9 assists, while Anthony Davis contributed 30 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 blocks. The Rockets led by as many as 22 points, but the Lakers made a strong comeback in the second half, narrowing the gap before ultimately falling short against the Rockets. In the crucial moments, the Lakers made consecutive turnovers. Jalen Green scored a team-high 33 points for the Rockets. Amen Thompson returned from suspension and contributed 23 points and 16 rebounds, setting a new season-high in points and breaking his career record in rebounds. Statistical Highlights Lakers: Anthony Davis with 30 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 blocks; LeBron James with 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 9 assists; Austin Reaves with 21 points and 10 assists; Rui Hachimura with 13 points; Lonnie Walker IV with 14 points and 6 rebounds; Dorian Finney-Smith with 13 points, 2 assists, and 2 steals. Rockets: Jalen Green with 33 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists; Amen Thompson with 23 points and 16 rebounds; Alperen Sengun with 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists; Fred VanVleet with 15 points; Dillon Brooks with 5 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists; Kenyon Martin Jr. with 8 points and 4 rebounds; Jaxson Hayes with 8 points and 9 rebounds. Player of the Game Jalen Green and Amen Thompson played outstandingly, helping the Rockets withstand the pressure and secure a victory over the…

The Western Conference rankings are set to be thrown into chaos as the top five teams are plagued by injuries! The Lakers are poised to challenge for a top-three spot! Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. suffered a right hand fracture during shooting practice and is expected to miss at least 4 to 8 weeks. According to the Rockets' head coach, Smith was hit on the hand during training, leading to the fracture. This season, Smith has been averaging 31 minutes per game with the Rockets, scoring 11.9 points, grabbing 6.5 rebounds, and blocking one shot per game. Additionally, Rockets forwards Ethan and Amen Thompson, two key defensive players, are also out due to injuries. Currently, the Rockets hold a record of 22 wins and 11 losses, placing them third in the West. On the other hand, the Mavericks have suffered three consecutive losses due to Luka Doncic's injury. Today, facing the Eastern Conference-leading Cavaliers, Kyrie Irving is also out due to injury. As a result, the Mavericks are likely to suffer their fourth consecutive loss. They currently have a record of 20 wins and 14 losses, ranking fifth in the West. The second-placed Grizzlies saw nine players sidelined due to injuries in yesterday's game. There were more players on the bench wearing team training uniforms than those in casual attire! Meanwhile, the Lakers, currently sixth in the West, have an opportunity. They are only half a game behind the fourth-placed Nuggets and three games behind the third-placed Rockets! With key players from the Rockets and Saturnians expected to be…

NBA Western Conference Latest Rankings: Warriors Create NBA Miracle, Rockets Rise to Second, Suns Drop to Twelfth Beijing Time January 5, 2025, Today there are 9 NBA games involving the Warriors, Clippers, Nuggets, Suns, Spurs, Grizzlies, Timberwolves, Trail Blazers, and Jazz. After the games, the Western Conference rankings have changed.‌ The Spurs hosted the Nuggets at home. The two teams just played yesterday, with the Spurs winning by 3 points on the road. Today, in a back-to-back matchup, the Nuggets were eager for revenge. Gordon was still out for the Nuggets, while Sohan returned for the Spurs. In the first quarter, the Nuggets took a 3-point lead. In the second quarter, the Spurs won by 4 points to take the lead. In the third quarter, the Spurs had a clear advantage, winning by 10 points. At the end of three quarters, the Spurs led by 11 points. In the fourth quarter, the Nuggets caught up and dragged the game into overtime. In overtime, Jokic was unstoppable, scoring 9 points alone, leading the Nuggets to an 11-point victory. Jokic made 19 of 35 shots for 46 points, 9 rebounds, and 10 assists. Porter made 9 of 17 shots for 28 points and 10 rebounds. Wen Banyama made 7 of 19 shots for 20 points, 23 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 blocks. Barnes made 8 of 14 shots for 22 points and 3 assists. After the win, the Nuggets improved to 20-14, surpassing the Lakers to rank fourth in the West, while the Lakers dropped to fifth, although both teams have the…

NBA Prediction for November 18th: Rockets Soar to Five Consecutive Wins, Harden Steers Clippers to End Losing Streak Today's predictions for five games were all incorrect, and previously the accuracy rate for predicting wins and losses was around 60-70%. A while ago, I had a conversation with a classmate who works in self-media. He suggested that if I want to pursue a career in NBA self-media, I should adapt to the development of the traffic era. Nowadays, everyone's pace of life is fast, and not many true fans constantly follow the NBA. They only occasionally pay attention to their favorite teams. Only things related to interests will attract more attention. Therefore, during this period, I started trying to develop in the direction of predicting point spread victories and defeats. The accuracy rate of predictions during this period has been extremely low. I completely think from the perspective of a fan, so I fell into the trap set by the bookmakers. I can only continuously summarize experience and hope to improve. There are ten games tomorrow, and the pre-game predictions are as follows: Suns vs Timberwolves (-7.5)‌ Pre-game analysis: Durant and Beal continue to be sidelined due to injuries. Booker has not yet proven that he can lead the team without All-Star teammates. In the last game against the Thunder, Booker shot 2-for-10, scoring only 10 points with 4 rebounds and 4 assists, and the team's record dropped to fifth in the West with 9 wins and 4 losses. The Timberwolves have also been in poor form recently, with 2 wins…