The Rockets are bound to take on the Thunder, who have lost three games in a row and can't afford to make any more mistakes. As one of the teams with the best home record this season, the Rockets' performance is exciting. The current record is 8-9 and the home record is 8-1, which is the best in the league. In the first half of the game, the Rockets clearly had an all-round advantage, not only leading the Thunder by nearly 10 points in the score, but also the players' statistical performance was very impressive.
Core point guard VanVleet made five shots in 16 minutes of the first half, hitting one of them, including 1-of-2 three-pointers, and contributed three points and one rebound. It is worth mentioning that he has eight assists and only two turnovers in just 16 minutes. He has a plus/minus of +14, the highest for the Rockets.
Jalen Green, who had a poor performance in the previous game, seemed to have regained his shooting touch in this game, shooting 8 times in 14 minutes, hitting 5 of 5 shots, including 1 of 2 three-pointers, contributing 11 points, 5 rebounds and 1 assist, with a plus/minus of +5. Jabari Smith Jr. played even more in this game, with Landale and Jeff Green unavailable, and Smith played more as the Rockets' center.
In less than 18 minutes of playing time, Smith scored just six points (2-of-3 shooting), but he grabbed 10 rebounds in such a short period of time with a plus/minus of +11. Dillon Brooks was a steady and decent game, shooting four of his five shots in 15 minutes and contributing eight points and two rebounds. With his defense, the Thunder's perimeter players can't pull off their tricks.
The main center made eight shots and hit five of them in 14 minutes, contributing 10 points, two rebounds, two assists and one block, with a plus/minus of +12. Even Reggie Bullock, the Rockets' bench substitute, hit a shot in six minutes and contributed three points with a plus/minus of +4. Although the Rockets have been short of personnel, especially on the interior, with only Shin Kyung and Jabari Smith Jr. available, the players have made the most of their offensive ability and potential.
Without much back-up, the Rockets relied on exquisite coordination and strong team offensive ability to keep up with their opponents. The Rockets showed impressive rebounding protection in the first half, especially the guard core VanVleet showed excellent command skills, diching up eight assists in less than half time and becoming the true leader of the team.
Although we can't say for sure if the Rockets will win this game, the players in the first half have produced excellent performances and statistics, which are commendable.