When the whistle blew on the Heat's home court, we witnessed an exciting basketball matchup. The Rockets didn't get off to a good start with a 113-120 loss on the road. Despite the disappointing result, the match was a full showcase of the strength of both teams and was undoubtedly a topic of conversation among fans.
Adebayo, the Heat's interior player, was undoubtedly the shining point of the game. In 31 minutes of playing time, he was highly effective and lethal: 22 points and 12 rebounds on 9-of-12 shooting, not to mention those three assists. His outstanding play is not only the key to the Heat's victory, but also proves his dominance on the inside. In stark contrast, the Rockets' Jabari Smith looked weak on the defensive end, shooting just 13-of-3 from the field, which was cold to the touch. Although he grabbed six rebounds, it didn't seem to make up for his mistakes on both ends of the floor.
In the Rockets, Van Jordan and Shinkin showed the team's hope. Not only did Van Jordan score efficiently, but he also scored 32 points to add five rebounds and seven assists, and even played well from beyond the three-point line. Shenkin also performed well, with 22 points and 11 rebounds per game, plus three steals on the defensive end, making him a bright spot on the court. Unfortunately, despite their best efforts, they were unable to help the team change the situation.
However, Jalen Green and Smith Jr. looked a little bleak. The two combined for just 5-of-23 shooting, especially Jalen Green, who had a sluggish performance in 31 minutes of playing time, scoring 11 points on just 2-of-10 shooting and 5-of-6 from the free-throw line. This kind of performance not only made him seem powerless on the field, but even had many embarrassing scenes of hitting iron.
With the Heat, Ciro's stellar play became a nightmare for the Rockets. He scored 28 points on 10-of-20 shooting and 3-of-5 three-pointers, and undoubtedly became an important driver of the Heat's victory. The Rockets' perimeter defense was clearly lacking, leaving Ciro at home on the court.
The Rockets' Tate didn't shoot many times in 33 minutes, with just eight attempts and three hits, but his efforts on the defensive end were commendable.
Aaron Holiday did not perform as expected as a substitute. Despite scoring eight points, his shot selection seemed too hasty, especially with his three-point shot, which was clearly lacking in consideration. As a playmaker, there is still a lot of room for improvement in his performance.
The consistent performance of the veteran Green has set an example for the younger players. In 19 minutes of playing time, he shot 2-of-4 from the field, showing the demeanor of a veteran.
Amen Thompson, a rookie on the Rockets, was mediocre and seemed slightly bleak compared to his sibling brother Fetmore. Fetmore shot efficiently in 17 minutes of playing time, finishing with 11 points and six rebounds.
It is worth noting that Coach Udoka's employment strategy has sparked controversy. In particular, the overuse of Jalen Green and Smith to the neglect of the outstanding Fetmore may be one reason why the Rockets have failed to turn things around.
This game, although it ended in the defeat of the Rockets, exposed a lot of problems in the team's offense and defense. The players' performance was not consistent enough, especially the young players' performances in key moments still need to be improved. However, no matter what, every player on the Rockets team worked hard for this victory, and this indomitable spirit is a valuable asset for them to grow in future games.
Dear readers, what do you think of this game, and how do you think the Rockets should improve their performance?