On January 10th, Beijing time, the NBA regular season continued, and the competition in the West remained fierce. After this round of matches, the rankings changed once again. Among them, the Rockets defeated the Grizzlies directly and won three consecutive victories while maintaining second place; the Warriors successfully stopped their decline and held on to the top ten positions; the Suns also won the game successfully, avoiding further widening of the gap; the Clippers reaped what they sowed, falling to eighth after two consecutive defeats. The Thunder, who topped the Western Conference, had a huge advantage, even though they lost to the Cavaliers in the previous game, they still had a 5.5-game lead. However, the competition for second and third places was still intense. In this direct dialogue between the two teams, the Rockets successfully came out on top, holding off the Grizzlies' counterattack and achieving three consecutive victories. This time, Shen Jing scored 32 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Green also contributed 27 points. Their outstanding performances helped the team secure victory and establish a 1.5-game lead. The Warriors successfully stopped their decline, defeating the Pistons who were on a five-game winning streak away from home. Curry failed to maintain his momentum this time, shooting only 5 out of 21 for 17 points, not in good form. However, his teammates around him exploded, allowing Curry to win without much effort. Hield hit five three-pointers for 19 points; while reserves Waters and Santos also hit three-pointers in succession, helping the team widen the gap. With such outstanding performances…

On January 10th, Beijing time, the NBA regular season continued with several key matchups that significantly impacted the Western Conference standings. Here are the highlights and updates from the recently concluded games: The Houston Rockets narrowly defeated the Memphis Grizzlies with a score of 119-115, securing their second-place position in the standings. The Dallas Mavericks also secured a close victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, winning 117-111 and extending their winning streak to two games. The Minnesota Timberwolves won their third consecutive game, defeating the Orlando Magic 104-89. Lastly, the Golden State Warriors managed a hard-fought win against the Detroit Pistons, with a final score of 107-104, ending the Pistons' five-game winning streak. In the Rockets vs. Grizzlies game, Ja Morant returned to action for Memphis. Both teams engaged in an offensive battle in the first quarter, maintaining high shooting percentages and combining for a total of 81 points. The Rockets led with 45 points, with Sengun contributing 16 points on 7-of-6 shooting, and Green adding 13 points. In the second quarter, the Grizzlies managed to cut the lead by four points with a 27-23 run. The Rockets maintained their dominance in the third quarter, outscoring the Grizzlies 33-29. In the final quarter, the Grizzlies, led by Morant, reduced the deficit to just one point. However, VanVleet's jump shot gave the Rockets a three-point advantage, which they held onto until the end. In the closing seconds of the game, both teams were involved in a free-throw battle. Bane made one of his two free throws, while Holiday sealed the game…

The Houston Rockets have achieved a three-game winning streak after defeating the Memphis Grizzlies, with a record of 25 wins and 12 losses, securing the second place in the Western Conference. This is a remarkable improvement from last year's performance. While many are discussing the championship potential of the Oklahoma City Thunder this year, the Rockets have quietly caught up and are ready to compete fiercely with them. The Rockets' success this season can be attributed to several factors. Some credit goes to Green for his significant progress, particularly in terms of consistency. Others point to Sengun, who has matured and delivered many high-level performances. However, the author believes that the primary contributor to the Rockets' transformation is Udoka. Last year, Sengun averaged 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 5 assists, nearly making it to the All-Star game. Meanwhile, Jalen Green averaged 19.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, which is also impressive. Yet, the Rockets' record last year paled in comparison to this season. The main reason for this turnaround is Udoka, who has learned how to effectively pair and utilize the Rockets' dynamic duo of Sengun and Jalen Green. Last season, when one played well, the other would underperform, leading some to believe they could not coexist and should not be re-signed simultaneously. However, in the summer of 2024, the Rockets cleverly resolved their contract issues, retaining both young talents. They signed Sengun to a five-year, 185millioncontractandJalenGreentoathree−year,185 million contract and Jalen Green to a three-year, 185millioncontractandJalenGreentoathree−year,106 million deal. These contracts have a two-year time difference, providing Sengun with a…

The Houston Rockets have achieved a three-game winning streak after defeating the Memphis Grizzlies with a score of 119-115, widening the gap to 1.5 games ahead of the third-placed Grizzlies. The Rockets' depth in their rotation this year has been impressive. With Smith out, Amen Thompson stepped up to hold the power forward position, and with Ison out, Tate was able to step up as well. Adams became the backup center, with Landale waiting in the wings. We don't know when Ison will return, as he has already missed 11 games. Previously, the Rockets had considered trading away Tate, but it seems that such plans have been put on hold. It's clear that Tate is a player every team needs. In today's game, he played for 18 minutes, scoring 12 points with 4 rebounds and 1 steal on 3-of-6 shooting, including 2-of-3 from beyond the arc. He has been a spiritual leader and veteran during the Rockets' rebuilding phase. Tate is very much like Beverley, constantly harassing opponents on the court, fighting for rebounds, and always ready to finish plays on offense. After the game, Shenjing praised Tate's incredible performance on both ends of the court, likening him to a 'ferocious dog.' The term 'ferocious dog' is not meant as an insult; in fact, it's quite a compliment in the NBA, as Beverley himself refers to himself as a 'junkyard dog.' Shenjing also revealed that Tate's energy on the court is abundant, and he is always there to encourage his teammates when their morale is low. Head coach Udoka described…

NBA regular season, the Rockets defeated the Grizzlies 119-115. The Rockets maintained their lead throughout the game, but it was a tough battle as the Grizzlies kept biting at them in the final moments. Fortunately, the Grizzlies failed to seize the opportunity to overtake, and the Rockets managed to stabilize the situation and ultimately secured the victory. Three players from the Rockets had perfect performances. Green displayed remarkable stability on the offensive end, having been on a continuous rampage, and he is also an all-around player capable of both offense and defense. He scored 27 points, made 3 steals, and had 1 block, with another 8 points in the final quarter, demonstrating the core strength of the Rockets. Tate remained the strongest point on the bench, although his attention has not been particularly high. In the past month, he has gradually gained recognition from the coaching staff. He made both free throws in the closing moments, contributing to the team's defense and scoring, finishing with 12 points. VanVleet maintained a stable output, shooting 8 for 13 to score 22 points, 1 rebound, 4 assists, and 4 steals. He also made a crucial mid-range shot in the final moments, helping the team to further extend the lead. Throughout the game, VanVleet played very reasonably, maintaining a stable shooting percentage, showcasing a performance that matched his salary. Amen, Adams, and Holiday all had passing grades. Amen had a less-than-ideal shooting percentage, but excelled in other areas. He scored 10 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, had 5 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block without…

The Houston Rockets have won an away game against the Memphis Grizzlies with a score of 119-115, bringing their current record to 25 wins and 12 losses, ranking second in the Western Conference. After winning this crucial game against the Grizzlies, the Rockets have extended their lead to 1.5 games. They have temporarily secured their position, but their upcoming schedule is not easy. They will face the Atlanta Hawks, Memphis Grizzlies, Denver Nuggets, and Sacramento Kings before encountering two relatively weaker teams, the Portland Trail Blazers and Detroit Pistons. The Trail Blazers are struggling, while the Pistons have been performing well recently, currently at eighth place in the Eastern Conference. Following these matches, the Rockets will have two tough games against the Cleveland Cavaliers, then face the Boston Celtics and Memphis Grizzlies again. Prior to this, the NBA officially ranked the difficulty of the upcoming schedules, with the Rockets ranking third in the league. It remains to be seen if the Rockets can withstand this challenging stretch. If they can maintain a 50% win rate through this toughest part of their schedule, their chances of making the playoffs this year will be virtually guaranteed. This segment of the schedule is incredibly difficult, but there is good news: Jalen Green has returned to form, reminiscent of Michael Jordan. Since entering 2025, Jalen Green has been on fire. He seems to have regained the level of performance he had last March. In today's game against the Grizzlies, he outplayed Ja Morant. Over 38 minutes, he shot 11 for 21 from the field,…

The Houston Rockets defeated the Los Angeles Lakers with a score of 119-115, refusing a furious comeback attempt and securing a crucial victory. The game was filled with thrilling moments, constantly keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. How exciting was this game? Just look at Jalen Green's performance, scoring 33 points, grabbing six rebounds, and dishing out four assists, making him the Rockets' scoring machine! The Rockets were not just relying on him; Kenyon Thompson also made significant contributions, scoring 23 points and grabbing 16 rebounds, setting a new record for the season. As for the Lakers, Anthony Davis remained their pillar, scoring 30 points, grabbing 13 rebounds, and blocking five shots, delivering an impeccable performance. LeBron James contributed 14 points but nearly led the Lakers to a comeback in the fourth quarter. The pace of the game never allowed for a breather from the start. The Rockets started strong, especially Thompson, who ignited the atmosphere with a dunk. The Lakers responded quickly with a counterattack, overtaking the score. The game entered a back-and-forth mode, with neither team willing to give up easily. At the end of the first quarter, the Rockets led by 14 points, with Green scoring 18 points, firing on all cylinders. In the second quarter, the Rockets played smoother, pushing the Lakers into a scoring drought and expanding their lead to over 20 points. When everyone thought the Rockets had secured the win, the Lakers demonstrated their resilience once again. James and Reeves took turns scoring, helping the Lakers gradually close the gap.…

NBA Western Conference Latest Rankings: Rockets Create NBA Miracle, Nuggets Receive Big Gift, Gap Between 3rd to 9th Place Narrows Beijing time January 10, 2025, today the NBA originally had 8 games, but the Lakers vs Hornets game was postponed, and the other 7 games were held as scheduled, involving the Warriors, Rockets, Mavericks, Suns, Grizzlies, Timberwolves, Trail Blazers, and Jazz. After the games, there were changes in the Western Conference standings.‌ The Warriors played away against the Pistons, with the Warriors missing Wiggins, Kuminga, Pojeme, Moody, and others, greatly reducing their combat effectiveness. The Pistons were also missing Avery and Hardaway. It was thought that the Warriors would be at a disadvantage, but unexpectedly, the Warriors had multiple players step up, leading the Pistons by more than 15 points on several occasions. With over five minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Warriors led by 18 points. However, the Pistons made a late push, narrowing the gap to just two points. Despite this, they ultimately fell short, and the Warriors won by a three-point margin. Curry scored 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists on 5-of-21 shooting, struggling with his shot. Hield contributed 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists on 7-of-15 shooting, while Davis added 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists on 7-of-9 shooting, and Schroder chipped in with 13 points and 6 assists on 5-of-11 shooting. For the Pistons, Cunningham had a strong game with 32 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals on 12-of-21 shooting, and Beasley added 21 points, 4 rebounds, and 2…

This season, the Rockets are rich in talent and have many available players, naturally leading to a rise in their record, which currently stands at 24 wins and 12 losses, ranking second in the West, closely following the Thunder. With so many young talents on the Rockets, it's natural that some players don't get enough playing time, or because they have some obvious shortcomings, they can't compete with their opponents and can only watch as they lose their chances and playing time. The top four scorers for the Rockets right now are Jalen Green, Sengun, VanVleet, and Dillon, followed by sophomore swingman Amen Thompson at number five. In yesterday's victory over the Wizards, Amen Thompson scored 20 points, grabbed 15 rebounds, and dished out 5 assists, showing great strength. He has now scored over 20 points in two consecutive games and has grabbed 15 or more rebounds in a single game four times in his career, second only to Wembanyama among rookies in 2023. As a result, not only did Whitmore lose his chance, but Sheppard also had no hope. Sheppard was the third overall pick by the Rockets this season and performed well in the NBA Summer League, having some opportunities in the preseason games, and was seen as a strong contender for Rookie of the Year. However, in the regular season, Sheppard's performance was poor, having played only 30 regular-season games so far, averaging a low 3.3 points per game. Out of necessity, to allow Sheppard to play consistently and maintain his form, the Rockets finally decided to…

On January 10th, Beijing time, the NBA regular season continued, with the Rockets visiting the Grizzlies today. This game was a crucial battle for positioning, as the Rockets were second in the Western Conference before the game, while the Grizzlies were third, with only a 0.5-game difference between them. If the Grizzlies had won, the two teams' rankings would have switched. In the first half of the first quarter, the Rockets' offense was very fierce, with Shen Jing almost shooting without missing, and Green and VanVleet also contributing. In less than 7 minutes, the Rockets led by 12 points at 33-21; however, in the middle and later stages, the Rockets' shooting accuracy showed a noticeable decline, and the Grizzlies once reduced the gap to only 5 points. At the end of the quarter, Green's three-pointer and free throws helped the Rockets end the first quarter with a 9-point lead at 45-36. At the beginning of the second quarter, both teams had low offensive efficiency, with the score fluctuating around a 9-point difference; in the middle stage, Whitmore and Dilon's three-pointers and Shen Jing's inside scoring helped the Rockets take a 17-point lead; on the Grizzlies' side, Aldama and Huff's consecutive scores narrowed the gap; at the end of the period, it was Kennard's three-pointer and Little Jackson's inside scoring that narrowed the gap again. The first half ended with the Rockets leading by only 5 points at 68-63. At the beginning of the third quarter, the Grizzlies relied on the iron triangle of Little Jackson, Morant, and Bane to continuously…