On December 24, Beijing time, the NBA regular season continued to unfold, and the Rockets challenged the Pacers back-to-back. Before the game, the Rockets ushered in two consecutive positives, including the official return of the new star Jaylen Green, who has missed 14 consecutive games; and the opponent's two core minor Sabonis and Brogden are absent due to injury, which also increases the rocket's chances of upset.
Jaylen Green's name did not appear in the pre-match update of the injury report, which also means that he will officially return to today's game. Green suffered a hamstring strain in last month's game against the Bulls and has since missed 14 consecutive games, somewhat tinglingly, the Rockets have an 8-6 record during this period, while in green's 18 games, the Rockets have only achieved a record of 2 wins and 16 losses (counting the Bulls). So far this season, Green has averaged 14 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game, shooting just 38.2 percent from the field.
In a pre-game interview, head coach Silas revealed, "Jaylen Green confirmed a comeback against the Pacers today, but he will have a time limit, and he will not play a lot of time." ”
This absence time is also an opportunity for Green to learn, to sit off the court and analyze the situation on the court in order to better handle the ball after returning. During Green's appearance, the Rockets played disorganized, almost single-handed, and needed to establish more contact with his teammates, so that he would also get more shots on the court.
In addition, the Rockets opponents the Pacers have also suffered from injuries, and the two core members of the team, Sabonis and Brogden, are all absent due to injury. It is reported that Sabonis Jr. will be absent due to a calf injury, and he has been dealing with a calf injury after playing the Pistons; Brogdon has an Achilles tendon injury. Without them, the Pacers' strength has also dropped significantly, which also gives the Rockets more opportunities to upset and end their 2-game losing streak.
In the last 8 games, the Rockets have only achieved a record of 2 wins and 6 losses, which also puts them back in the bottom position in the West. Because during this period, the Pelicans and Thunder both won 3 consecutive games and successfully bid farewell to the bottom position. This time facing the Pacers, it will also be the rocket's opportunity, before the game to usher in 2 consecutive positives, but also increase their chances of winning, depending on whether they can seize the opportunity.