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[Houston Rockets]

Three New Year’s Resolutions for Rockets fans

As we close the book on 2025 in the Bayou City, there is much to celebrate. The Houston Texans have clinched a playoff spot and still have the possibility of winning the AFC South Division title for the third straight season, all after starting the season at 0-3. The Astros are still in the afterglow of being one of the best teams in the entire MLB for a decade, the Houston Cougars Men’s basketball team has become a perennial powerhouse, and the Houston Rockets, in just under two and a half seasons removed from being the laughingstock of the NBA, are true championship contenders.

NBA fans are passionate, often times emotional, and Rockets fans are no exception. We are happy to have a good basketball team with a chance to be great, but let’s face it… we want great and like JG Wentworth we want it now! As a content creator I have had the audacity to call myself the “President of Houston Sports”, and it’s not because I think I know more about Houston sports or because I think I’m better than any other Houston fans. It’s because I strive to be the voice of reason for Houston fans during the good times and especially during the bad times. In that spirit, I want to give you five New Year’s resolutions to help you enjoy being a Rockets fan more than ever in 2026.

1. Turn Off the Trade Machine​

I know… we can blame ESPN and in part Daryl Morey for this bad habit. As soon as the Rockets acquire a player we all want to know, “Who can the Rockets get for that guy!” Case and point, from the moment Dorian Finney-Smith was acquired and it was known he would spend the beginning of the season healing from ankle surgery, fans have been trying to package him in a deal. For whom? Who cares! Somebody who is better than what we have now.

The issue is that we don’t know what the Rockets have right now. The team as currently constructed has played 30 games. Tari Eason has missed half of those games, Dorian Finney-Smith has missed all but three of them, and in those 30 games, the Rockets have had nine different starting lineups. All that being said, they are 20-10 and currently reside in fourth place in the Western Conference.

We have no idea what this team looks like healthy and with chemistry. Reed Sheppard has been a revelation this season, and an argument can be made that he should be playing more. Yet, many Rockets fans are determined that this team, must make a trade for a veteran point guard. I say let the young man and the rest of this team cook. Every loss feels heavy, I know, but we can’t put everyone including the head coach on the chopping block every time the team doesn’t play perfect basketball.

2. Vote for Rockets All-Star Candidates​

NBA All-Star fan voting counts were released on Dec 29th. Austin Reeves and Deni Avdija have more votes than Alperen Sengun. Avdija has more votes than Kevin Durant! Listen, I know Rockets fans are busy, hardworking people, and Avdija is a really good player having a really good season statistically… but he plays for the Portland Trail Blazers. Portland has a population of 640,000 people, if I include the surrounding metro areas its 2.7 million. The Houston metro area has 7.8 million people. The entire country of Türkiye should be voting for Sengun and KD. Houston and Türkiye combined have approximately 80 million more people than, Avdija’s home country of Israel and the Portland metro area. Let’s get on this Rockets fans! Show Amen Thompson some love also!

3. Create a Home Court Advantage​

This one is a charged topic for me. Nothing gets under my skin more than going to Toyota Center and having it feel more like a home game for the visiting team. Especially when it’s the Lakers, Warriors, Mavericks, or Spurs. Getting under my skin doesn’t quite do it… more like it makes my blood boil. I know Houston is a large city with many things to keep us entertained. I also know it’s hard to discriminate who you sell your tickets to when you can’t make the game. However, Toyota Center of all of Houston’s sports venues has the least amount of home court advantage. I know what this city is capable of because of what I have experienced for over 20 years at NRG Stadium and Minute Maid /Daikin Park. If this city can do the same for our Rockets, it would be a game changer. Show you care Houston! Go to the game, get there early, be loud and stay until the end!

Happy New Year!​

“New year, new me” is one of the most common fibs told to ourselves come the dawning of a new calendar. Most of us are creatures of habit and even with the best intentions will often resort back to those habits. As long as you continue to be a good person, try to be better today than you were yesterday, and remember that Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon is the only player in NBA History to be ranked in the top 15 of four statistical categories, which should at minimum put him in the discussion of the greatest center of all-time, along with trying your best to adopt one of the three resolutions I’ve laid out here today, then your life as. Houston Rockets fan is going to be just as great as you want it to be.

Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/rocke...gun-deni-avdija-amen-thompson-all-star-voting

 

[Houston Rockets]

Houston Rockets vs. Dallas Mavericks game preview

The Dallas Mavericks have been in 26 clutch games this season, which leads the NBA. Dallas is 10-16 in those games and haven’t scored particularly effectively in those games. But they have played good defense to help them in those situations.

The Houston Rockets, meanwhile, have only played in 14 such games. They are 6-8 in those contests, and their two other losses came against the surging Los Angeles Clippers and these Mavericks in Dallas. That was a back-to-back that occurred without Alperen Sengun or Steven Adams, but the Mavs took care of business and are a couple of clutch Kevin Durant triples away from being 2-0 against the Rockets this season.

Anthony Davis and Cooper Flagg are the big draws for Dallas, but P.J. Washington and Brandon Williams had big games in the last matchup. Max Christie is a baller and Ryan Nembhard solved the “who is the point guard?” question for the Mavs that they had early in the season. Houston is still finding their answer. Yet another Nembhard that the Rockets passed on, unfortunately.

Tip-off​

7:30pm CT

How To Watch​

Space City Home Network

Injury Report​

Rockets​

Steven Adams: GTD (ankle)

Clint Capela: GTD (illness)

Mavericks​

The Line (as of this post)​

Hou -7.5

Check here for updates

Looking ahead because we can​

Monday night at home against the Phoenix Suns

Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/rocke...ston-rockets-vs-dallas-mavericks-game-preview

 

[Houston Rockets]

Kevin Durant says the quiet part out loud about “Ring Culture”

Kevin Durant’s social media platform is usually utilized for trolling. Or humorously engaging in banter with fans, in a rather non-serious manner.

Every now and then, Durant will be in his bag, however. Lately, Durant has been cooking.

Well, somewhat.

On New Year’s Eve, Durant took to Twitter (I don’t think I’ll ever call it X) to explain the decline in discourse around the NBA, while noting the heightened level of negativity (which has been pointed out before).

The Houston Rockets superstar pinpointed the diminishing of the regular season.

“Playoffs are the most important part of the year but u can’t make the playoffs without a great regular season.”

Too many times we’ve heard, yeah they’re playing great right now but let’s see what happens in the playoffs.

This is the “analysis” (if we want to call it that) that has marred James Harden, especially during his days in H-Town.

Unguardable tour? Doesn’t matter.

Let’s see what he does in the playoffs. Top seed in the Western Conference and most wins in the NBA?

Yeah, but wait until the playoffs start.

Durant kept cooking.

“If u don’t win a ring, you’re a loser.”

This is merely a lazy way to look at the game. And an unfair approach, as it pertains to players and great teams.

Players get compared to other players and the verdict regarding who is better generally comes down to who has more championship rings, sadly. Not the impact of said player (or players).

Let’s use Harden again. The running debate has been Harden vs. Dwyane Wade.

A classic case of offensive superiority vs defensive superiority (although both were underrated on the other end). The discussion too often centers around Wade’s three championships vs. Harden’s shortage of a title.

Or the conversation regarding Charles Barkley vs. Draymond Green (which is a comical one).

Unsurprisingly, Green’s four championships get magnified, since Barkley doesn’t have any.

Not to mention Barkley has made himself rather unlikeable in his post-playing career for some of his “hot takes”. Even though Green is far from a fan favorite.

(As a side note, hot take culture has also ruined discourse, but that’s an entirely different conversation).

The reality is winning a championship is a team accomplishment. An overall reflection of the sum of it’s parts.

And typically a result of a few lucky bounces and/or breaks. Great players are great players, with or without a title.

A championship doesn’t magnify them or make them great. The absence of one doesn’t mean they suck or are a loser.

If that were the case, they wouldn’t even be worthy of mention, let alone be in the NBA.

Durant is right. The discourse needs to change.

Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/rocke...ys-the-quiet-part-out-loud-about-ring-culture

 

[Houston Rockets]

Rockets head up to Dallas to take on Mavericks

Houston Rockets vs Dallas Mavericks​

January 3, 2026​

Location: American Airlines Center – Dallas, Texas

TV: Space City Home Network

Radio:KBME Sports Talk 790

Online: Rockets App, SCHN+

Time: 7:30 pm CST

Probable Starting Lineups​

Rockets: Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun

Mavs: RJ Nembhard Jr., Max Christie, Cooper Flagg, PJ Washington, Anthony Davis

Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/rocke...ockets-head-up-to-dallas-to-take-on-mavericks

 

[Zedster]

Pretty solid start to the new year for the Rockets. That 20-10 record with all the lineup shuffling and injuries is honestly impressive. The article makes a good point about patience - we really haven't seen what this squad looks like at full strength with everyone clicking together.

The Durant comments on ring culture are interesting. He's not wrong that the discourse has gotten pretty toxic. Every regular season game gets dismissed as meaningless until April rolls around, which kind of defeats the purpose of watching basketball for seven months. The Harden example hits home for a lot of us who watched those years where he was absolutely unstoppable but the narrative always circled back to playoff disappointments.

That Dallas matchup should be telling. Cooper Flagg and Anthony Davis make for a formidable frontcourt, and the Mavs have been in a ton of close games this season. Hopefully Sengun and Adams are both available because we'll need the size. The last meeting without them didn't go so well.

Also... the All-Star voting situation is kind of embarrassing. Sengun and KD getting fewer votes than Avdija? Houston is a massive market. We should be doing better than that. Takes like two minutes to vote.

Anyone planning on catching the game tonight?

 

[Houston Rockets]

Rockets lose to Mavs and lose Alperen Sengun to injury

In a game versus the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday, Alperen Sengun left the game after only 64 seconds played with an apparent right ankle sprain. Sengun grabbed a defensive rebound but landed awkwardly, falling to the floor. He grasped at his ankle as he sat down. This injury comes after Houston already lost center Steven Adams to his own ankle sprain earlier this week. After leaping for a rebound, Sengun seemed to roll his ankle and landed on the foot of Mavericks center Daniel Gafford. He hobbled over to the bench and was escorted to the changing area. At halftime, the team announced that he would not be playing again. After Sengun’s exit, Houston was unable to keep up with the size of Dallas, as Anthony Davis torched Houston for 26 points, and Houston lost the defensive rebounding battle (34-45). To make matters worse, Houston was also outscored in the paint by 12 (54-66)

After missing two games due to a calf injury, Şengun made a comeback on New Year’s Day for an away game against the Brooklyn Nets. In 27 games this season, the Rockets center has averaged 22.6 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 6.7 assists.

Now with both Steven Adams and Sengun sidelined with ankle inuries Houston’s only true center is Clint Capela. Houston plays Monday again versus Phoenix at home, and it is unknown whether Sengun or Adams will be available for that game, but Ime Udoka will hopefully give an update before the game on Monday. Given that both large guys were able to bear weight on their right leg while limping to the locker room, it appears that these injuries are hopefully less severe.

You can catch the Rockets on Space City Home Network locally, or on NBA leuage pass. As always make sure to check back here for pre and post game coverage.

Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/rocke...dallas-mavs-and-lose-alperen-sengun-to-injury

 

[Houston Rockets]

Houston Rockets vs. Phoenix Suns game preview

The Phoenix Suns just knocked off the Oklahoma City Thunder. So on the one hand, they’ll be tired as they come in to play the Houston Rockets.

On the other hand, teams that beat OKC (and Golden State back in the day) always get what I call a “Beating a champ bounce.” Usually a win like that gives the team a lot of confidence because they have just proven to themselves and everyone else that they can beat the defending NBA champions. So expect a Phoenix team riding high at Toyota Center rather than a tired team on the second night of a back-to-back. Phoenix shot 40% from deep last night, and in their previous trip to Houston they shot a paltry 5-36 (14%) from three. I would expect them to make just a few more triples tonight. Alperen Sengun did not play in that game, and he will not be playing tonight, so more or less the teams should look similar to what they did that night.

The Rockets are coming off a tough loss to the Dallas Mavericks in which they lost Sengun just seconds into the game to an ankle injury. They’re played without him before this season, to decent results.

Tip-off​

7pm CT on January 5, 2026

How To Watch​

Space City Home Network

Injury Report​

Rockets​

Alperen Sengun: OUT

Steven Adams: GTD

Suns​

Grayson Allen: OUT

Jalen Green: OUT

The Line (as of this post)​

HOU -7.5

Check here for updates

Looking ahead because we can​

Wednesday night at Portland against the Trail Blazers

Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/rocke.../houston-rockets-vs-phoenix-suns-game-preview

 

[Houston Rockets]

Could Alperen Sengun be a victim of the league’s 65-game rule?

Kevin Durant believes the NBA’s 65-game mandate won’t last long. Or much longer.

(Hopefully he’s right).

The rule was implemented to prevent players from load managing their way to accolades and honors.

(See Kawhi Leonard and LeBron James, of late).

The downside is that players with legitimate injuries are also withheld from the same milestones, which was an unintended consequence.

Durant, himself, fell victim to the rule last season.

Possibly.

26.6 points, 6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 52.7 percent from the field, 43 percent from three, 83.9 percent from the foul line, 59.8 percent effective shooting, and 64.2 percent true shooting.

This season, Nikola Jokic could be deprived of an MVP award, due to the same mandate.

Alperen Sengun, a Jokic look-a-like by the masses, could also be affected by the rule, potentially.

Depending on how much time he misses with his latest injury and more importantly, whether he’s able to remain healthy upon returning.

Sengun has played in 28 of Houston’s 32 games thus far.

He’ll need to play in 37 more of Houston’s 50 remaining games.

10 of those games are back-to-back games.

Will the Rockets choose to rest him in those games? It wouldn’t be a bad idea, if it’ll allow him to get fully healthy for what’s expected to be a deep postseason run.

Especially since this will be his third time having to miss time this season.

And especially if you consider the Rockets’ success without him this season, as they are 3-1 when he sits (which is a small sample size, I know).

All told, Houston has 50 games remaining over the next 98 days.

That doesn’t leave a ton of wiggle room if he’s going to miss back-to-backs (which isn’t a guarantee, to be fair).

Sengun was viewed as a potential All-NBA selection, and based on his play, that shouldn’t be much of a question.

Especially at the center position (and especially if factoring in team success).

It remains to be seen how long he’ll be out of commission with his latest ankle injury, but it’s a positive that he’s considered day-to-day.

And we shouldn’t expect the Rockets to rush him back after any injury.

But any additional injuries (or extended absences) could put him at risk of missing the league’s mandate.

Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/rocke...engun-be-a-victim-of-the-leagues-65-game-rule

 

[Houston Rockets]

Rockets Get To 100 Over Suns – 100-97

Moments like the end of this game are why a team trades for Kevin Durant, soon to be the 6th highest scoring player in NBA history. A contested, almost double-teamed, 3pt shot with time running out. Not a good shot, but a pure one, nothing but net. Nothing but net after Durant had almost nothing but misses from three point range previously. He ended up 2-12 from deep. Maybe if he’d shot his season average of 43% the Rockets wouldn’t have been in this position. But they were, and Durant cashed the shot for the win.

This game wasn’t pretty. It showed those watching a number of things, though.

One is, the Rockets really, really, miss Alperen Sengun. It turns out 22pts/9rbs/6.5ast/1.5stl/1blk is hand to replace. A team can’t, it is evident, simply plug Steven Adams into that role and expect the same results. For all the many abilities of “The Funaki Kid” he’s not Alperen Sengun with the ball in his hands.

Two, the Rockets held a team under 100 points. True that team had played the night before in OKC, and had a delayed flight to Houston. On the other hand, the Suns won their matchup against the Thunder.

Three, the Rockets clutch offense, as has been discussed here lately, looks like crap. Yes, they won, but let me highlight some late game moments.

The Rockets had been down as many as 13pts in the third quarter. In the fourth, partly through good defense, energy and some decisive attacks from Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith finding his shot, and maybe the Suns running low on energy, the Rockets took a 94-87 lead with 6:04 remaining. Here are the next few possessions.

5:41 – Durant Bad Pass Turnover

5:25 Suns Turnover

5:03 Durant Miss

4:45 Booker 2pt fall away make. – 94-89

4:25 Amen Thompson Travel Turnover

4:16 Booker miss, Suns offensive rebound, Royce O’Neill miss, Shot Clock Turnover (very good defense by the Rockets)

3:35 Adams called for foul on Booker attempt. Booker makes first FT. Misses 2nd. Suns offensive rebound. Booker 3pt make. 94-93 Rockets lead.

3:04 Rockets timeout – The Rockets need to get a play called, or organize some offense. In any case, they call timeout, after the Suns scored the last six points.

Post Timeout – Rockets lineup for inbounds. Timeout Suns.

3:04 – After two consecutive timeouts to get their play set, the Rocket try to force a pass into Kevin Durant, guess where? That’s right, at the top of the arc. Amen Thompson turnover.

2:54 Dillon Brooks fall away jumper make off the Rockets inbounds post timeout turnover, 95-94 Suns lead.

Let’s consider those last actions. The Rockets could not inbound the ball at midcourt after not one, but two consecutive timeouts. Did anyone in the building or who watches the Rockets often, think the Rockets would attempt something, anything, else? If they did, they were wrong. Houston surrendered their lead because the Suns jumped the pass the former Rockets, Brooks, knew was coming.

Booker would make two more free throws, after a pretty grifty drive at 2:12. At 1:59 Amen Thompson would make a 2ft shot and get a foul call to tie the game. Amen would then miss what looked like a gimme, after a spectacular move at 40.4 seconds left.

With the game tied, and some more spectacular defense from the Rockets, getting another shot clock violation on the Suns, came the Suns game winning attempt from who else, Booker. Credit here to Tari Eason who defended Devin Booker perfectly as he dribbled away the clock in Hardenesque fashion. Booker, with the seconds ticking down, drove at Tari, only he wasn’t rewarded with a foul. Booker shot a 20ft fade away with the clock running down, but Eason stayed out of Booker’s “Grift Radius” when he drives his shoulder or body into contact with a retreating defender and immediately shoots something resembling a basketball shot attempt. Moreover, Tari not only fell back from the foul drawing attempt, he then challenged the ensuing shot without fouling Booker. He didn’t foul Booker so much that even Devin Booker couldn’t complain about the miss. He just missed.

5 seconds left. Rockets timeout. This time they DO get the ball to Durant, on the wing, rather than straight up on the 3pt arc. KD rises over two defenders (maybe one and a half), shoots, and it looked perfect the moment it left his hand. 100-97 Rockets.

The Suns still had life with 1.1 left, and a timeout. Josh Okogie breaks up the Suns inbounds pass and the game ends.

I’m happy for this victory, but the offense, when the going gets tough, still looks like crap. Moreover, it looks to have literally no ideas as to what to do besides “Kevin/Alpie/Amen SAVE US with something spectacular!”

Tonight, they got something spectacular, and got the win. On the bright side, the Rockets are 11-2 at home. They’ve played their other 20 games on the road. A careful look at NBA scheduling will reveal that this home/road imbalance must even out. The Rockets are in fact, due. Due some home games. But not anytime soon!

Stop here, avoid the rant.

The defense wasn’t the problem – they held the Suns to 37 points. In the second half. It should have been easy. It wasn’t, because the Rockets only scored 46 points in the second half.

I believe, despite nice looking offensive ratings and so forth, the Rockets utter destitution of ideas on offense, their brutally inept clutch execution, this Udokan offensive travesty, is going to be a problem, especially in the playoffs. Maybe it will be their downfall. Again. There’s no Jalen Green to blame this time. It’s the job of the coaches to make the opponent’s offense difficult, not their own team’s. The Rockets replaced Jalen Green with Kevin Durant and their clutch offense remains exactly the same as it was last season. They were fortunate to get this win. I’ll take it, and the ending was cool, but there was no need for a cool ending, if the Rockets could execute late game offense.

Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/rockets-scores-results/37646/rockets-get-to-100-over-suns-100-97

 

[Houston Rockets]

SB Nation Reacts results: Do you want the Rockets to deal at the NBA Trade Deadline?

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Rockets fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

This past week’s question asked if you want the Rockets to make a deal at the NBA Trade Deadline. The team still lacks a true point guard, and Alperen Sengun is currently out two weeks. There are certainly needs.

On the other hand, you have to give in order to get, and the Rockets are likely giving up a key rotation piece if they wish to pick up another point guard or center. Is that a wise move for a team still building chemistry?

Here’s what you said:

The majority of you want to stand pat, but only a slim majority. We won’t have long to wait, as the NBA Trade Deadline is roughly a month away.

Thanks for voting. We’ll be back soon with more Reacts.

Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/rocke...ton-rockets-to-deal-at-the-nba-trade-deadline

 

[Houston Rockets]

Houston Rockets vs. Portland Trail Blazers game preview

Tonight starts a two-game set between the Houston Rockets and Portland Trail Blazers. Both games will take place at the Moda Center (aka The Rose Garden).

Houston already had one of these “two games in the same arena” thing with the Utah Jazz, and it went about how these usually do: either there’s a split or the home team sweeps (with the first game usually a blowout and the second a tough, close win). Players have too much pride to get between twice in a row by the same team when the difference is just effort. It’s only when the talent difference is vast that a team has a shot at both games.

The Blazers have Deni Avidja, who might have had a solid case before for the All-Star game, but certainly with the new rules feels like a shoe-in. He’s currently higher in fan voting than either Kevin Durant or Alperen Sengun.

Portland is on a three-game winning streak, which includes wins over the Utah Jazz, San Antonio Spurs, and New Orleans Pelicans. For reference, Houston is 1-3 against those teams.

Tip-off​

9pm CT on January 7, 2026

How To Watch​

Space City Home Network

Injury Report​

Rockets​

Alperen Sengun: OUT

Blazers​

Kris Murray: GTD

Jrue Holiday: OUT

Jerami Grant: OUT

Matisse Thybulle: OUT

Scoot Henderson: OUT

The Line (as of this post)​

Hou -5.5

Check here for updates

Looking ahead because we can​

Friday night at Portland against the Trail Blazers

Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/rocke...ockets-vs-portland-trail-blazers-game-preview

 

[Houston Rockets]

VOTE: Make one of these two Rockets untouchable at the NBA Trade Deadline

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Rockets fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

The NBA Trade Deadline approaches and the Rockets are swirling in rumors all over the league. The talking heads around basketball and some Rockets fans believe that a deal must be made before the trade deadline to acquire a veteran point guard. If an impact player is to be brought to Houston, then they will have to give up an impact player. So, this begs the question of Rockets fans, who are you willing to part ways with?

In this week’s SB Nation Reacts Survey, we are asking you, if you can make one of these two players untouchable, who would it be… Tari Eason or Jabari Smith? Some of you may have no issue parting with either and don’t see one or the other as untouchable. For the sake of playing along though, vote for the player you’d be least like to want to part with, with all things equal. We know Tari is the more likely to get dealt this season. That’s not what we’re asking. In a perfect world, you make one untouchable.

We will collect votes until Friday and breakdown how H-Town views these to critical cogs in the Rockets machine.

Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/rocke...g-kevin-durant-alperen-sengun-houston-rockets

 

[Houston Rockets]

Rockets heading west for Trail Blazers

Houston Rockets vs. Portland Trail Blazers​

January 7, 2026​

Location: Moda Center — Portland, Oregon

TV: Space City Home Network

Radio:KBME Sports Talk 790

Online: Rockets App, SCHN+

Time: 9:00pm CST

Probable Starting Lineups​

Rockets: Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., Steven Adams

Blazers: Deni Avdija, Shaedon Sharpe, Toumani Camara, Sidy Cissoko, Donovan Clingan

Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/rocke...ckets-heading-west-for-portland-trail-blazers

 

[Houston Rockets]

Stop panicking about the Houston Rockets

Some say that complaining is pointless if you don’t have solutions.

They’re being naive, and I don’t know what to do about it.

Pointing out a problem is its own benefit. If you had a suspicious lump on your throat, someone should point it out – even if they’re not a otolaryngologist.

Complaining can be good for society, but it’s unequivocally bad for the complainer’s soul. I’ve been issuing complaints about the Houston Rockets on this page all season long. It’s exhausting. “Too many turnovers! Too much isolation, not enough motion! Get off my lawn!”

The Rockets’ 16.2% Turnover Percentage is tied for second-worst in the NBA, a far cry from last year’s 11th (14.0%) mark. They remain second in isolation frequency (12.8%) despite being in the 41.2nd percentile. They can’t win in the clutch; the defense has slipped. In short: ugh. These are belabored points that seem worth repeating because, well, they have an annoying habit of remaining true.

I’ve tried to provide solutions, but frankly, I don’t have the solutions. Run the triangle? I don’t know. Play faster? That’s the basketball equivalent of a middle manager telling a room full of engineers to “be more innovative”.

I don’t have the answers. Likely, neither do you. We’re at the mercy of Ime Udoka. It’s a fair complaint:

But it could certainly be worse.

Rockets’ future remains bright​

Take a step back – no James Harden pun intended – and look at where the Rockets stand.

Alperen Sengun isn’t a future star – he’s a star, full stop. The only remaining question is whether he’s more of a top-20 guy or if he can creep into top-10 territory. That’s an excellent place for a 23-year-old to be.

It’s hard to say what Amen Thompson will become. He’s an outlier athlete – perhaps literally one of one -, but he (still) can’t shoot. Thompson is connecting on 20.0% of his three-point attempts. His midrange has actually regressed since last season, when he shot 49.3% between 10-16 feet as opposed to this year’s 35.7% mark.

The Rockets should not build around Thompson as a playmaker if that trend remains. They’re not built to space the floor around him, and non-shooting perimeter players have a poor postseason record. Thompson may be a long-term off-ball guy: A highly valuable player, but not the franchise player some hoped for.

In a deck full of wild cards, Reed Sheppard is the Uno Wild Draw 4. He probably shakes out as the best shooter in the NBA in more simulations than not, but he’s short and laterally slow. That said, the last time this author diagnosed a heady player with chronic lateral slowness, they forced crow so far down his esophagus that he’s been tasting it for two seasons.

Maybe that’s the point: The future is hard to predict. Let’s circle back to that.

Tari Eason will be on the unofficial All-Role Player First Team for the rest of his career (though the Rockets need to secure his future). Jabari Smith Jr. has a solid baseline, even if he doesn’t improve. Simply put, the Rockets have a lot going for them.

The most depressing reality is the spectre of the Oklahoma City Thunder. It’s easy to envision a lot of bright futures for the Rockets, but the one where they usurp The Sam Presti Singularity feels far-fetched. This feels like an appropriate time to find a joke about Victor Wembanyama being a collective hallucination, or a cyborg, or a celestial being.

The competition is stiff, and getting stiffer. If you’re a title-or-bust guy, bust feels like a probable outcome. Only…

The future is hard to predict.

Here’s the point after a rambling, meandering diatribe: The Rockets are set up to be highly competitive for a decade if they like. Sometimes, that’s the best you can do. Keep yourself in the running. Injuries happen. Windows open unexpectedly. The Rockets have the future draft capital to substantiate what they already have as well. Superstars get selected in unexpected places. The Rockets will be OK:

Please forward all complaints to the comment section.

Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/rocke...uston-rockets-alperen-sengun-kevin-durant-nba

 

[Houston Rockets]

Rockets fall to Blazers 103-102 after disallowed tip-in

The Houston Rockets fell to the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night in a close battle that came down to the wire. Following a Kevin Durant miss, Tari Eason had a successful tip-in. However, following an officials’ review, the play was reversed as being after the buzzer, and the win was given to Portland. Here’s the finish:

WILD ENDING IN ROCKETS/BLAZERS

Tari Eason's potential game-winning tip-in is ruled NO GOOD after review.

Blazers win their 4th straight in dramatic fashion! pic.twitter.com/YXgwkRoRcg

— NBA (@NBA) January 8, 2026

The Rockets once again played without Alperen Sengun, but Kevin Durant led the way with 37 points in 37 minutes. Tari Eason pitched in 15 points and 13 rebounds, while Amen Thompson had 24 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists.

Jabari Smith threw up a 2-for-13 stinker, however, and the Rockets received just 13 total bench points from five players, including 8 from Reed Sheppard. That’s simply not going to get it done. The Rockets shot just 37 percent as a team, and they were just 8-for-36 from three-point range.

The Trail Blazers spit out another in a long line of Rando Rocket Killers (thanks, Xiane), as Deni Avdija went off for 41 points. He’s been having a great year, so it’s not totally Rando, but Portland always seems to have someone who loves going off on the Rockets. Shaedon Sharpe also had 20 points for Portland to help lead the way.

The Rockets were down in this game to start, but battled back before the unceremonous finish to this one, but they fall to 22-12 anyway. They now fall to the sixth spot in the Western Conference, just 1.5 games ahead of Durant’s old team, the Phoenix Suns. Slip down to seventh, and suddenly the Rockets are Play-In team. Yikes.

The Rockets are off Thursday, but they will be back in action on Friday night against these very same Trail Blazers. The game will once again be in Portland, and the Rockets will be looking for some revenge.

Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/rocke...ll-to-blazers-103-102-after-disallowed-tip-in

 

[Houston Rockets]

Why can’t the Rockets make open shots?

The Houston Rockets have been one of the league’s top-ranked offenses all season. Quite the surprise for an Ime Udoka-led group, which is generally carried by defensive execution.

Houston’s offensive philosophy is largely predicated on dominating the glass and getting extra bites at the apple.

Simple but effective. The more extra possessions, the more scoring opportunities.

In spite of the Rockets’ top three offensive rating, they could be much better on that end.

It all starts with making shots. Especially the open ones. Those are the easy ones.

At least they’re supposed to be. But not for the Rockets this season.

They rank 15th in 3-point percentage when “open”, shooting 34.4 percent.

By definition, the league defines being open when the closest defender is 4-6 feet away.

Wide open is when the nearest defender is 6+ feet away.

That’s an important distinction, especially when considering the individual player stats.

For example, Jabari Smith Jr., who ranks fourth in Houston’s pecking order in terms of shots per game, is usually left open by defenses, as they key in on Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun.

However, he shoots worse when “open”. In fact, he’s hitting just 33 percent of his threes with 4-6 feet of space. Which comprises 23.8 percent of his long-range attempts.

And 37.9 percent on twos when the same distance between he and the nearest defender.

Ditto for Reed Sheppard, who is making just 34.2 percent of his treys when left open, which is also 21.7 percent of his 3-point attempts. Although his percentages shoot up when factoring in two-pointers, at a 60 percent clip

Same for Tari Eason, who shoots 32.3 percent from deep when left open, which occupies 18 percent of his long-range attempts. And 33.3 percent on twos.

By comparison, Kevin Durant shoots 39.7 percent from deep when left open and 61.2 percent on twos.

Josh Okogie shoots 66.7 percent from three when open.

It may seem like nitpicking or splitting hairs to harbor on this, but it’s noteworthy, when considering that these are open shots.

Role players have to be able to hit these. Especially on a roster with Kevin Durant at the top of the scouting report as the main defensive draw.

Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/rockets-analysis/37709/why-cant-the-houston-rockets-make-open-shots

 

[Houston Rockets]

Houston Rockets vs. Portland Trail Blazers game preview

Basketball is a super complicated game. Analytics have taken the sports from “put ball in hoop and stop other team from putting ball in hoop” to “leverage help defense around the nail to prevent penetration and kickouts to below-the-break threes.”

There are a variety of strategies still to this day. The Houston Rockets utilize a double-big approach (when healthy) to secure offensive rebounds and get more possessions. Other teams gamble for more steals, look to get to the free throw line, or jack up as many threes as humanly possible.

And sometimes, the game really is as simple as James Naismith made it out to be with the peach baskets.

If Houston shoots better than 22% from deep, 37% from the field, and/or 69% from the free throw line, they have the talent to beat the Portland Trail Blazers. Houston will still have to defend at a high level (and maybe get off to a good start?), but tonight will just be about scoring more points than the Blazers. That’s it.

Tip-off​

9pm CT on January 9, 2026

How To Watch​

Space City Home Network

Injury Report​

Rockets​

Alperen Sengun: OUT

Blazers​

Kris Murray: OUT

Jrue Holiday: GTD

Jerami Grant: OUT

Matisse Thybulle: OUT

Scoot Henderson: OUT

The Line (as of this post)​

Hou -5.5

Check here for updates

Looking ahead because we can​

Sunday night in Sacramento against the Kings

Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/rockets-game-previews/37713/37713

 

[Houston Rockets]

Rockets fall apart in the 4th quarter and lose in POR 111-105

For the second consecutive game the Houston Rockets lose in a heartbreaker to the Portland Trail Blazers. This time it wasn’t a last second tip in being wiped away because of not getting off the fingertips in time. It was the Rockets not being able to hit the broad side of a spaceship in the fourth quarter, after building up a 13-point lead at the end of the third quarter.

The game stayed close throughout the first half. The Rockets led by one at the half. Early in the third quarter Tari Eason would leave the game with a sprained ankle and he would not return. However, that would not stop the Rockets from dropping 34 in the quarter on 13-of-24 shooting, hitting 7-of-13 from the three-point line, while holding the Blazers to 22 points. In the third quarter Reed Sheppard seemed as if he was getting back to form, Durant was getting buckets as always, and the defense was leading to points in transition with Amen Thompson and Josh Okogie.

In the fourth quarter, everything changed. The Rockets made six shots in the quarter, were 2-of-4 from the free-throw line and 1-of-17 from the three-point line. No one could hit a shot, but one player stood out more than anyone due to his continuing cold streak. Jabari Smith was horrible. There’s no other way to put it. Not only could he not make a shot, but he was getting cooked on the defensive end of the floor. Jabari had nearly as many fouls as shots made, including a brutal foul on a three-point attempt by Sidy Cissko, a career 29-percent three-point shooter. In his defense, Cissoko was 2-for-2 in this game and is shooting 32-percent on the season, but still it was a crucial mistake to foul the jump-shooter.

The Trail Blazers on the other hand scored 34 themselves in the final quarter despite their best player struggling from the field all game. The Blazers shot 10-of-19 and hit 11-of-11 from the stripe. They played team basketball. Though Deni Avdija shot 5-0f-15 he had 6 assists and 2 other Blazers scored 20+ points and Caleb Love added 18 points off the bench. They had 26 assists to the Rockets’ 21, and they shot 91.3 percent from the free-throw line. They did everything better when it mattered most. The loss takes some of the shine off of an incredible personal milestone for Kevin Durant, who scored 30 points and passed Wilt Chamberlain on the all-time NBA scoring list. He is now 7th behind Dirk Nowitzki.

It’s easy to point to the Rockets injuries as an excuse and it’s clear that the Rockets offense is struggling without Alperen Sengun, and Tari Eason being out hurt the team, but this was yet another disappoint effort by the Rockets on the road against an inferior opponent who is dealing with injuries of their own. In this crowded Western Conference, a bad week can be the difference between being a top four team and hovering around the play-in. Especially now that Sengun is and will be out for some time, the calls for playmaking help via the trade market are sure to only get louder.

On Sunday Rockets will face the Kings in Sacramento, where they most recently lost 125-124 in overtime. The Rockets will be hoping to get their “get-back” and end this stretch of road games with something positive before returning back home for a five-game home-stand. As always, we will be right here for all your pregame and post-game coverage as well as discussion during the games.

Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/rocke...lain-amen-thompson-alperen-sengun-deni-avdija

 

[Houston Rockets]

Kevin Durant passes Wilt Chamberlain on NBA all-time scoring list

Prior to the game versus Portland Friday night, Kevin Durant needed 15 points to surpass Chamberlain’s 31,419 points. With 7:57 remaining in the third quarter, Durant’s jumper gave him 31,422 points. Next for Durant to pass would be Dirk Nowitzki, who is ranked sixth on the career list. with 31,560 career points.
The 37-year-old Durant has been an All-Star 15 times and is currently in his 18th NBA season. He surpassed 8,000 career rebounds and finished Friday’s game with 30 points and 12 rebounds.

Head coach Ime Udoka was asked about Durant‘s milestone to which he responded: “No, it doesn’t amaze me when you see the work ethic and what he does on a day-to-day basis.”

After the game, when asked about passing Wilt, Durant said:

“To be amongst the greats is always an honor. Wilt is somebody I studied and tried to look up to as much as I can, a player like that. Like I always say, he set a standard for NBA players and (I’m) grateful to reach that — and inspired by what he produced for the game of basketball. These milestones always have me reflecting on the people that helped me get to this point — the journey that I’ve been through, the close calls, and the things that could have gone wrong plenty of times in my life,” Durant said. “So to be here, very, very grateful, and Portland is such a classy, classy city for recognizing me in that moment and honoring me.”

Kevin Durant received a hug from Blazers’ interim head coach Tiago Splitter after he scored the bucket, along with a warm applause from the Blazers’ crowd.

Houston and Durant look to get back to winning on Sunday in Sacramento versus the Kings. Tip-off is at 8:00 central, and is streaming on Space City Home Network as well as NBA League Pass. As always, make sure to check back here for pre- and postgame coverage.

Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/rocke...-wilt-chambelrin-on-nba-all-time-scoring-list

 

[Houston Rockets]

Houston Rockets vs. Sacramento Kings game preview

The Houston Rockets are leaving one house of horrors in Portland for another in California when they fly to take on the Sacramento Kings.

The Kings have won the last three matchups between these teams in California’s capital, with all three being frustrating for the Rockets. Just a few weeks ago, Houton held a 14-point lead before promptly squandering it. Then in overtime, Tari Eason left his assignment in the corner and the Kings hit the game-winning three pointer after Jabari Smith Jr. only made two of his three free throws on the previous trip down the floor.

Basically, if Houston allows this game to be close, I’m just not sure they can win. The Kings have several players than can play 1-on-1 and right now, the Rockets are a bad team in close games. Honestly, Houston’s only path to winning right now seems to be when opponents just give up. And when you blow multiple double digit leads with a few weeks, teams are less likely to give up because they know you’re susceptible to the run.

Tip-off​

8pm CT on January 11, 2026

How To Watch​

Space City Home Network

Injury Report​

Rockets​

Alperen Sengun: OUT

Tari Eason: GTD

Kings​

Keegan Murray: OUT

The Line (as of this post)​

Hou -5.5

Check here for updates

Looking ahead because we can​

Tuesday night at home against the Chicago Bulls

Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/rocke...ston-rockets-vs-sacramento-kings-game-preview