What We Learned Houston Rockets Edition: Game 45

This was the strangest game of basketball I’ve ever seen. The Rockets come in to the second half down 28 at our lowest point, then slowly make their way back with the most disgusting version of what I can only describe as “Mike D’Antoni’s Walmart version of small ball”, yet it somehow worked. What We Learned Houston Rockets Edition: Game 45.

Alperen Sengun was having an off night for the entire first half, which led coach Udoka to hardly play him until Nic Claxton was off the floor towards the end of the 4th quarter.

All around weird vibes, top to bottom. The accountability that Ime is instituting is a net-good, but wavering your potential superstars confidence by leaving a small ball lineup without Al-P could lead to some consequences. We are quite lucky that squad on the floor somehow worked the lead down to three leading in to the final seconds.

Here are the last ten seconds of Rockets vs. Nets in word format.

Amen Thompson catches the inbouder sleeping, steps back, takes a three in stride. Bang. Rockets down one. Rockets foul on what should have been a jump ball, Nets foul instead of play defense down three, Rockets miss a free throw, rockets rebound, Nic Claxton absolutely clotheslines Alperen Sengun, another free throw missed, Rockets foul, Nets purposely miss the second free throw, 0.7 seconds left, no shot goes up.

Good game. Fuuuuuuuuuuuuck me.

The ultimate turnaround was how locked in Cam Whitmore felt. The guy jumps out of the gym to get a basic rebound off a free throw. I love this dude.

Jabari Smith Jr. please save us. Tari Eason please save us. I don’t know how much more I can watch these lineups be thrown out.

Rockets lose 106-104.

LeBron James and the Lakers fresh off the consensus game of the year against Golden State on Saturday night will be coming to Toyota Center tomorrow night.

Can’t wait. See y’all then. What We Learned Houston Rockets Edition: Game 45.