Autumn and Winter Check-in Challenge On the morning of December 28, Beijing time, the Rockets faced the Suns back-to-back at home. As a result, despite having the advantage of home court, the Rockets were no match for the Suns and ended up losing 113-129. The scores of the fourth quarter were 24:30, 31:43, 29:31, 29:25. The Rockets only outscored their opponents in the fourth quarter, and a loss was inevitable.
Throughout the game, the Rockets did not play badly, Shin Jing scored 24 points, Jalen Green scored 23 points, and five people scored double-doubles. But helplessly, the Suns have more masters, Durant and Gordon both scored 27 points, Booker scored 20 points, and five people scored double-doubles. The gap between the Rockets and their opponents is mainly rebounding, shooting percentage, and blocks. In rebounding, the Rockets trailed by 11 at 33:44, shooting 57 percent from the field compared to 41 percent for the Rockets. The Suns had 10 blocks compared to the Rockets' three. Although the Rockets had a whopping 11 steals, it didn't help.
The difference in rebounds, blocks, and shooting percentage boils down to the gap in interior defense. The Rockets' interior basket protection ability is too poor, and they are often grabbed by opponents to rebound in the frontcourt, so that they can score easily, and the shooting percentage is naturally high. Moreover, due to the lack of interior rim protection ability, there are many fewer blocks sent, and the opponent has a lot more opportunities to score on the inside.
Since Landale was waived, the Rockets' No. 5 bench is the only one on the bench, so hurry up and trade for reinforcements, otherwise the playoffs will be really dangerous!