The game between the Rockets and the Lakers was quite a spectacle, with its ups and downs making it very interesting. Initially, it seemed like it would be a one-sided affair, but it ended up going down to the wire. Fortunately, the Rockets managed to secure the victory, solidifying their ranking. So, what aspects of this game are worth analyzing? Let's take a look. The Rockets' lineup change proved to be a great success, with two output geniuses contributing significantly to their win, which is indeed shaking up the Western Conference. As everyone knows, the Rockets had several players missing from this game. Ethan was out due to injury, and Xiao Jia also got injured, but fortunately, Aman returned. So, where did the Rockets get it right in winning this game? We can identify four correct decisions. The first decision was the successful lineup change. With Aman's return, Udoka opted for a lineup change, starting with Dillon, Aman, Shen Jing, Green, and VanVleet. This starting lineup turned out to be quite stable, with Aman serving as a substitute for Xiao Jia and performing his role well. The second decision was to capitalize on their interior and rebounding advantages. While the Lakers have Anthony Davis, the Rockets' interior is no pushover. In this game, the Rockets repeatedly scored inside, accumulating 52 points. Additionally, they controlled the boards effectively, grabbing 49 rebounds, including an impressive 18 offensive rebounds. The third decision was to speed up the offense and quickly get into defensive positions. As everyone saw during the game, the Rockets were…

New Year, New Beginnings! The Rockets have made a significant change in 2025 that can be described as "closing the barn door after the horse has bolted," as Udoka has started to face reality. VanVleet, with his career-high salary, has delivered his worst performance since his rookie season, which many Rocket fans find unbearable. Udoka claims he doesn't care about social media comments, but he cannot ignore the dissatisfaction from players and management. Despite poor shooting, VanVleet still holds onto the ball, and the label of leadership given by Udoka fails to convince the young players on the team. On the other hand, Stone cannot stand idly by as a mercenary affects the growth of the "Houston Prince." In 2025, Udoka's protégé VanVleet has seen a noticeable decrease in shot attempts, with only 8, 7, and 11 shots respectively. With more ball possession, Jalen Green has scored 22, 27, and 33 points in the last three games. Jalen Green has regained confidence, showcasing his skills against the Celtics and Lakers with drives, mid-range shots, and three-pointers, improving offensive efficiency and defense while significantly reducing turnovers. Jalen Green had only one turnover against the Celtics and zero against the Lakers. Jalen Green once displayed the demeanor of a superstar last season and played well in the first five games this season. However, Udoka still insisted on the basic strategy of pick-and-roll, seeking stability. Although Jalen Green does have technical shortcomings, he is the player with the highest potential on the Rockets. Udoka, in pursuit of stability, could only let Jalen Green…

The Houston Rockets narrowly defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 119-115 at home, improving their record to 23 wins and 12 losses. This result has helped them maintain a slight lead over the third-placed Memphis Grizzlies, solidifying their position as second in the Western Conference. Over the past five games, which were considered a challenging stretch for the Rockets, they faced tough opponents such as the Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics, and the Lakers. The Rockets managed to secure two victories and three defeats during this period, which can be seen as an average performance considering they were playing at home. There were several factors that contributed to the Rockets' 2-3 record. Firstly, Ethan was unable to play due to injury, mirroring the career trajectory of Kawhi Leonard. Additionally, Amen Thompson was suspended for two games against the Heat, weakening the Rockets' strongest defensive duo. To make matters worse, Smith suffered a finger fracture during training and is expected to miss between four to eight weeks. Despite these setbacks, the Rockets' 2-3 record is commendable. The Rockets' offense has been inconsistent, but their defense has been impressive. Their defensive strategy left the Lakers struggling to find scoring opportunities. The Rockets' rebounding prowess, ranked among the top two in the league, played a crucial role in their victory over the Lakers, with a significant advantage in offensive rebounds. Amen Thompson's return was a lifeline for the Rockets, as he is a pillar on both ends of the court. Defensively, Amen is the only Rocket capable of guarding LeBron James…

The Houston Rockets defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 119-115, despite almost being overturned after leading by 24 points. However, winning is ultimately a good thing, and there is no difference between winning by 24 points or 4 points. The Rockets just need to improve on some details. Considering the absence of Smith and Ison, it was impressive that the Rockets could win against the Lakers without their two frontline players from 2022. Amen Thompson was undoubtedly the key to the Rockets' victory today, while Jalen Green was the go-to scorer, and Adams was the unexpected hero. Jalen Green's scoring was crucial for the Rockets in the final moments of the game. Adams' offensive rebounds forced the Lakers to slow down, preventing them from launching counterattacks and holding on during a tough stretch. Meanwhile, Amen Thompson was the absolute foundation for the Rockets at both ends of the court. Defensively, he locked down James and assisted Shen Jing with defense. Offensively, he aggressively attacked the basket, finishing layups, and made second-chance putbacks. You could truly say that Amen Thompson was everywhere on the court. After serving a two-game suspension, Amen returned to start and played 41 minutes, with Udoka not daring to take him off the court for even a minute. He had an impressive shooting record of 11 out of 19, scoring 23 points, grabbing 16 rebounds, dishing out 3 assists, and making 1 steal. In fact, James found it challenging to play one-on-one against Amen today, as the young player is incredibly skilled defensively. James faced the best defender…

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…

NBA regular season continued to play, the Rockets lost at home to the Celtics with a score of 86-109, missing out on consecutive victories. In this game, the Rockets started off in mediocre form, with an imbalanced offense and defense. Their attack was not stable enough, and they were slow to retreat defensively, falling behind the Celtics by more than 10 points after half a quarter. Although the Rockets managed to stabilize their footing later on, they were unable to maintain consistency and still trailed by a 9-point margin at halftime. In the second half, the Rockets' offense remained inconsistent, and in the third quarter, they briefly narrowed the gap to around 5 points but were quickly pushed back to a 15-point deficit. After the third quarter score was set at 16-17, the Rockets entered the final quarter with a 10-point disadvantage. In the fourth quarter, not only did the Rockets fail to further close the gap, but the Celtics also went on an 18-7 run, directly widening the gap to over 20 points. Coach Udoka had no choice but to concede defeat early. After the loss, the Rockets' record stands at 22 wins and 12 losses. So where exactly did they fall short in this game? Perhaps the data can provide us with some answers. Jalen Green shot 10 for 21 from the field, 5 for 13 from three-point range, scoring 27 points with 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks, and 1 turnover. It seems that Green's efficiency wasn't particularly high today, but his performance was actually quite commendable.…

The Houston Rockets suffered a resounding defeat against the Boston Celtics with a score of 86-109, a result that appears to be just another routine loss in the regular season. However, what lingers in the minds of fans after this match is not the crushing defeat itself, but the head coach Stephen Silas' post-game comments about Norman Powell. These remarks, akin to a stone thrown into a lake, have created ripples and sparked deep contemplation about the current state and future prospects of the Rockets. In this game, the Rockets were thoroughly outplayed. The defeat was not only reflected in the significant point difference but also in the team's lackluster performance from the outset. In the first quarter, the Celtics demonstrated their formidable offensive and defensive prowess, firmly controlling the game's tempo. The Rockets' offense struggled, lacking effective organization and coordination, resorting to individual efforts out of necessity. Defensively, they were riddled with vulnerabilities, allowing the Celtics' players to score at will. Despite Jalen Green's impressive 27 points, his personal excellence could not offset the team's overall slump. It was as if a lone hero fought valiantly amidst a vast army yet could not turn the tide. Of course, we cannot overlook the impact of objective factors. The absences of Smith, Aman, and Ison significantly diminished the Rockets' strength. However, this should not excuse the team's poor showing. Other players, especially the high-paid veterans, should step up, take responsibility, and lead the team forward in such times. Yet, what we witnessed was Norman Powell once again lost on the court.…

After multiple seasons of hard work, the Rockets have finally ushered in a resurgence and rise - this season, relying on their strong defensive capabilities and rebounding advantages, they have successfully entered the playoff competition ranks in the top three positions in the West. Compared to pre-season expectations, the young lineup of the Rockets has achieved remarkable results under the leadership of head coach Udoka. The Rockets' performance on defense and rebounding can be considered top-tier in the league, but if they want to go further in the playoffs and even compete for the championship, the shortcomings on the offensive end are obvious - the slightly immature guard Jalen Green, the difficulty of launching an offensive from the inside with Shen Jing, and the lack of a superstar who can step up in critical moments is the biggest problem for the Rockets to compete for the championship. This team's performance this season can be described as amazing, especially on defense, ranking second in the league with a defensive efficiency of 105.8. Udoka's defensive system is not just talk; with their dominance in rebounds and defense, the Rockets have an advantage in the paint. We can take a closer look at the Rockets' problems through several key games: In the game against the Timberwolves, the Rockets led by 10 points in the last three minutes of the game, which seemed to have settled the outcome, but unexpectedly, the Rockets made frequent mistakes in the critical moments, completely losing their offensive rhythm, and eventually were overturned and lost the game by the…

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…

The Houston Rockets faced two unfortunate pieces of news ahead of their game against the Dallas Mavericks. The first was the suspension of their backup point guard, Amon Thompson, for two games due to a conflict in the previous match. This was his first game out, and he would also miss the next home game against the Boston Celtics. To make matters worse, the Rockets' forward, Ethan, has been out of action due to injury for several consecutive games. Last season, Ethan only played 20 games, which was one of the main reasons the Rockets failed to enter the playoffs. It seems that injuries have once again found the 23-year-old iron-blooded forward, Ethan. As part of the Rockets' famous "Door God Combination" and best defensive duo, it is clear that with both Amon Thompson and Tari Ethan unavailable, some bench players were given the opportunity to play. For example, in the game against the Mavericks, the Rockets' forward, Whitmore, scored an impressive 18 points in 24 minutes, catching everyone's attention. Another guard, Aaron Holiday, also received 15 minutes of playing time, scoring 4 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist in the game, with a performance that could be considered average. Another veteran, Tate, scored 3 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal in 15 minutes, showing a very comprehensive performance. Most importantly, outside of Ethan and Amon Thompson, Tate is the first choice for the Rockets' bench forwards. Therefore, although the 28-year-old Tate is known as the most likely player to be traded by the Rockets, from the current…