Houston Rockets Secure a Dominant Home Victory Over the Mavericks, Maintaining Their Position in the Western Conference The Houston Rockets secured an impressive home victory against the Dallas Mavericks, solidifying their position as third in the Western Conference. In this match, the Rockets limited the Mavericks to just 99 points while scoring 110 themselves, showcasing both their defensive prowess and offensive capabilities. Despite veteran Fred VanVleet's subpar performance, with only 5 points from 1 out of 8 shots, the rest of the team stepped up, including the typically underperforming bench players. Notably, the Rockets' strong second-quarter and third-quarter comebacks were largely attributed to the efforts of several key bench players. Among them, small forward Whitmore stood out, scoring 18 points in just 24 minutes on the court, with a shooting efficiency of 7 out of 9 attempts, including 3 out of 4 three-pointers. His game-high plus/minus rating of +12 underscored his significant contribution to the team's victory. However, in a post-game interview, Whitmore appeared less than thrilled despite being the second unit's top scorer. He modestly suggested that his contribution was minimal and expressed curiosity about what the future holds. While he was pleased with the win, Whitmore also conveyed a desire for more consistent playing time. When asked if he had secured stable playing time, he responded negatively. Whitmore's comments hinted at deeper concerns. His outstanding performance in this game demonstrated his value to the team, yet he remained resentful over coach Udoka's initial lack of faith in him. Although he harbored no ill will towards Udoka, Whitmore, as…

On January 2nd, Beijing time, the Rockets played against the Mavericks at home, and the game ended with the Rockets successfully defeating the Mavericks 110-99. Although the Mavericks were missing Doncic in this game, it was still a tough challenge for the Rockets to win, especially when Irving and Klay were able to play. However, in this game, the Rockets not only effectively limited Irving's performance but also had multiple players step up. Moreover, when Klay found his rhythm and tried to make a comeback in the fourth quarter, the Rockets maintained their offensive momentum and continued to exert defensive pressure on the Mavericks, ultimately securing a decisive victory. In this game, the Rockets' offensive capabilities showed significant improvement, which is crucial for them. The reason why the Rockets suffered reversals in previous games was due to their lackluster offensive performance, especially in the fourth quarter when their poor offense gave opponents the opportunity to turn the tide. Therefore, the current Rockets must find their offensive rhythm, and they achieved this in this game. Although VanVleet, the starter, was in a slump, Sengun, Green, and Dillon all had excellent offensive performances, and Whitmore also delivered the expected offensive output. The Rockets maintained their offensive state throughout the game. After the win, although the Rockets remained in third place in the West, they are now only half a game behind the second-place Grizzlies. Sengun's outstanding performance in this game was remarkable. After the game, Sengun was interviewed by reporters and talked about being double-teamed. He said: "Opposing teams have been double-teaming…

The Houston Rockets have been on a smooth ride recently, securing an impressive four consecutive victories. However, their momentum has faltered when facing strong opponents like the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Miami Heat. As a result, the Rockets have slipped to third place in the Western Conference, with the possibility of dropping further if they continue to lose. The recent losses are not due to a lack of skill but rather a failure to capitalize on crucial moments. Coach Udoka's team is struggling to hold onto scoring opportunities when it matters most. Defensively, the team's performance has also dipped, particularly with the absence of Tari Eason, who has missed six consecutive games. Without their defensive powerhouse on the front line, the Rockets are finding it challenging to maintain their top-tier defensive displays. Coach Udoka is also disappointed with some of the team's bench players. In the game against the Heat, he benched rookie shooter Shepherd, who had been a key part of the rotation for most of the season. In the previous match against the Timberwolves, Shepherd played only four minutes with minimal impact, and in this game, he was completely sidelined without a single second of playing time. With Dillon Brooks returning to the lineup, the Rockets have reverted to their usual starting five. The bench has seen some changes, with veteran sharpshooter Aaron Holiday replacing Shepherd. Adams continues to play, while Armoni Brooks has returned to the bench due to Dillon's comeback. Forward scorer Whitmore has once again entered the rotation after performing well previously. It's clear that…

According to comprehensive reports, the Kings may trade their starting point guard De'Aaron Fox, but they may need to wait a bit longer and send him away before the trading deadline this season. Now may not be the right time. Although the Rockets' management and coaching staff have not clearly stated that they want to go all out to pursue Fox, according to some reports, the Rockets are indeed interested in Fox. Moreover, NBA famous reporter Eric Pincus also said that the Rockets have the chips that the Kings want, and they will also be one of the most ideal destinations for Fox. In fact, it is also reported that the two newcomers of the Rockets, Whitmore and Reed Shepard, have been favored by the Kings. The Kings admire Shepard very much. Although Shepard did not have many opportunities in the Rockets this season, his playing time was relatively short, and he has often been benched recently, and his personal data is very ordinary, and he did not perform as a No. 3 pick. However, Shepard is only 20 years old, and he is also a shooter with great basketball talent and basketball IQ. This season, Shepard played 29 games for the Rockets, averaging 3.4 points, 1.2 assists, and 1.3 rebounds. His shooting percentages are not good, but in the end, it is still the Rockets who did not give Shepard the opportunity to swing freely. When the Rockets were tanking before, whether it was Jalen Green or Shen Jing, they had such unlimited firing rights, but now Whitmore and…

The recent performance of the Rockets has been quite disappointing, especially with regard to Coach Udoka's tactical arrangements. Looking back at the game, the team's performance was simply incomprehensible. After Jovic scored a crucial three-pointer, Udoka finally called a timeout. Everyone thought this might be a turning point, but what happened? The team's offense became even more disorganized after the timeout. In fact, Udoka's problems were exposed as early as the previous game. At that time, he was afraid to call a timeout and didn't know how to inbound the ball. Now he does call timeouts, but the results are not satisfactory. Speaking of inbound passes, Coach Li Nan probably knows to use a big man like Zhou Qi to inbound the ball, but Udoka chose Fan Tong instead. In the last game against the Bucks, Fan Tong's view was completely blocked, forcing him to lob the ball high to his teammate, which almost flew out of bounds. This time, when Fan Tong was inbounding, he couldn't even see his teammates, only the nose and armpit hair of the defenders. Besides inbound passes, the Rockets' defense is also riddled with problems. There are numerous defensive lapses, and they often fail to box out for rebounds. Udoka, who is known as the "best defensive coach," had a performance that left everyone stunned. The opponents easily broke through the defense, making the Rockets' defense virtually non-existent. Players like Green and Dillon tried hard to score, but the overall tactics were chaotic, disrupting the offensive rhythm. Especially Fan Tong, who has been in…

On December 30th, Beijing time, the Rockets suffered an unexpected collapse and defeat with a score of 100-104. They were leading by 12 points but managed to be overturned, committing an epic blunder in the final moments, resulting in VanVleet's ejection! In the game between the Rockets and the Heat, the Rockets lost in a truly painful manner because the Heat had previously double-killed the Rockets for four consecutive seasons, achieving an overwhelming record of 8 wins to 0. Unexpectedly, in this game, the Rockets, who had once turned the tide, were struck back by the Heat again. Moreover, the 40 million dollar guard VanVleet was ejected at the last moment, adding insult to injury. Not only that, but a large-scale brawl erupted between the two sides at the end of the game, creating a very intense scene. The Rockets have been holding their breath. After completing a big comeback in the third quarter with a 16:4 reversal, they had already seen hope of winning. However, in the fourth quarter, the Rockets' offense suddenly stalled, scoring only 12 points in 11 minutes, allowing the Heat to continue their reversal in a single quarter. With 47.2 seconds left, the Heat led the Rockets by 4 points with a score of 98:94, at which point the Rockets made a big mistake first. After Udoka called a timeout and returned to inbound the ball, VanVleet directly committed a 5-second violation on the sidelines. At the last moment, he wanted to call a timeout to the referee, but it was too late, so VanVleet…

The Houston Rockets suffered a 100-104 defeat against the Miami Heat, not only marking their second consecutive loss but also bringing their record against the Heat to an unfortunate 0-9. This losing streak began on February 11, 2021, when they lost 94-101 to the Heat, and has continued up to December 30, 2024, with the Rockets failing to secure a single victory against the Heat. Following today's game, the Heat have completed a four-season sweep against the Rockets. The teams will meet once more this season on March 22, 2025, with the Rockets facing an uphill battle as they prepare to challenge the Heat away from home. It seems that a tenth consecutive defeat is all but inevitable. Why is this happening? The Rockets seem to be under some sort of bloodline suppression when facing teams like the Golden State Warriors and the Miami Heat. To make matters worse, a conflict erupted in the final quarter of today's game, resulting in the ejection of four Rockets players and two from the Heat. What adds insult to injury is the taunting from Tyler Herro. With just 35 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Herro mockingly told the entire Rockets team, "You go home bro, you lost. You lost." It's worth noting that today's game was at the Rockets' home court, yet they were ridiculed by Herro, telling them to go home. This is extremely frustrating for the Rockets. What's most critical is that Herro managed to show off his skills, leaving the Rockets with no means to retaliate. In today's game,…

As the season progresses, the Houston Rockets have experienced significant changes in their performance. Although the team's defensive efficiency ranks second in the league, their shortcomings on the offensive end remain evident, particularly in their three-point shooting. In a recent NBA Cup match against the Thunder, the Rockets attempted as many as 11 three-pointers but were unable to overcome the strong defense of the Thunder, ultimately resulting in their elimination. The Rockets' defense has undoubtedly been a highlight of this season. Head coach Udoka has integrated young players like Amen and Ethan into the tactical system, making the team's defense a force to be reckoned with in the West. The vitality and execution shown by these young players on the court have placed the Rockets' defensive efficiency almost at the top of the league. Especially the progress of Amen and Ethan has gradually made the Rockets' management realize that these players are not only the core of the future but also capable of helping the team secure a place in future competitions. However, despite significant improvements on the defensive end, the Rockets' offensive performance has yet to elevate the team to new heights. Currently, the Rockets rank 22nd and 26th in the league in three-point shots made and three-point shooting percentage, respectively, indicating a significant weakness in outside offense. Although the team has ball-handlers like Jalen Green and VanVleet, the Rockets clearly need more outside firepower support in terms of three-point shooting accuracy and efficiency. To enhance their offensive firepower, the Rockets' management has begun to adjust the team's lineup,…

In an NBA regular season game, the Rockets suffered a surprising 112-113 reversal at the hands of the Timberwolves. The Rockets were leading by a significant margin in the final moments of the game, but the Timberwolves staged an incredible comeback with a 15-2 run that no one could have anticipated. Following the match, the Rockets faced four pieces of bad news. The first major mistake was attributed to Udoka. In the crucial moments of the game, his handling was deemed poor. He did not call a timeout when the opponent was on a scoring streak. Throughout the season so far, Udoka's decisions regarding player rotations and timeouts during decisive periods have been questionable. A timely timeout could have disrupted the Timberwolves' rhythm, but he chose not to do so. Additionally, he persisted in using players who were clearly unsuited for the fourth quarter, which was another significant error. During this time, VanVleet and Green also contributed to the defeat. Green, in particular, made a series of inexplicable moves and turnovers, which significantly altered the momentum on the court. Despite Green's continuous misses throughout the game, Udoka continued to trust him. VanVleet, who scored zero points in the final quarter, also made some rash shots in the closing moments, giving the opponent multiple opportunities to close the gap. These two players have consistently been a hidden trouble, and it might be better to bring in Tate and Holiday, who are more reliable options. After a recent outburst, Whitmore's performance also collapsed. He had just completed a major breakout the day…

The Houston Rockets defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 128-111 in a recent game. Jalen Green and Van Jordan had outstanding performances, while Whitmore, coming off the bench, became a key player, effectively filling the void left by the absence of Ison. The contrast between Whitmore (referred to as the "White Wizard") and Shepherd was particularly evident, with Shepherd scoring only 1 point in 18 minutes, while Whitmore scored 27 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal in 26 minutes, shooting 9 for 16 from the field and 4 for 8 from three-point range. Coach Udoka's positioning of the two players is somewhat similar. Previously, when Whitmore was in the G League, Shepherd averaged only 10 minutes per game. His main task was not to come off the bench as a backup point guard but to be used as a spot-up shooter, with the ball still in the hands of Van Jordan and Shen Jing. However, Shepherd has too many passes that shift responsibility because he is afraid to shoot and plays safe to maintain stability. Defensively, Shepherd's physique does not meet NBA standards, and it can be said that whenever teams face the Rockets, they single out Shepherd for one-on-one play. Offensively, Shepherd lacks tactical status, and even if given tactics, his body cannot execute them. Defensively, he has become a weak point. Currently, Shepherd really needs to go to the G League for training. This is not to look down on Shepherd, but rather to say that if you force him to stay with the Rockets, you cannot…