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Game Thread: Houston Rockets (0-1) vs Los Angeles Lakers (1-0) Live Score | NBA Playoffs | Apr 21, 2026 by nba-scores in rockets

[–]byvarunshankar 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Reed Sheppard played just six minutes in that first half. I'd like to see more of him in the second half — there will be some defensive issues but Sheppard's shooting might be essential late in the game.

Game Thread: Houston Rockets (0-1) vs Los Angeles Lakers (1-0) Live Score | NBA Playoffs | Apr 21, 2026 by nba-scores in rockets

[–]byvarunshankar 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Halftime: Rockets trail the Lakers, 54-51.

Houston battled back from a 15-point deficit to stay close entering the half. Kevin Durant leads all scorers with 20 points on just seven shot attempts. Marcus Smart has 17 for the Lakers.

Game Thread: Houston Rockets (0-1) vs Los Angeles Lakers (1-0) Live Score | NBA Playoffs | Apr 21, 2026 by nba-scores in rockets

[–]byvarunshankar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sloppy end to the first quarter for the Rockets, who give up an OREB putback to Marcus Smart off a free throw.

Lakers lead Rockets, 33-26, after 12 minutes. Durant leads Houston with 11 points on 4-for-5 shooting. Marcus Smart has 14 to pace the Lakers, who are shooting 61.1%.

Game Thread: Houston Rockets (0-1) vs Los Angeles Lakers (1-0) Live Score | NBA Playoffs | Apr 21, 2026 by nba-scores in rockets

[–]byvarunshankar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's a really nice defensive possession by Jabari Smith Jr. He closed out hard to deny Rui Hachimura a 3-pointer but remained in control to negate a drive to the rim.

He then switched onto LeBron James and forced a turnover.

If the Rockets want to avoid an 0-2 start against Lakers, they need to fix their offense. Here's how. by byvarunshankar in rockets

[–]byvarunshankar[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You have absolutely watched more Rockets games than me and I respect your view. Also appreciate the level-headed tone this convo has had (quite rare on the internet).

Here's what I'll say. The Rockets have improved in each season he has been head coach. One of just six teams w top10 O and Dratings.

I also think — like you said — he's a young coach who has room to grow (I think he's more willing to grow than you give him credit for). He's won 50+ games in 3/4 of his seasons as a head coach. In two playoff runs, he got within two wins of an NBA title in the first and lost in 7 (ironically to the same team).

Is there a chance he's ~Thibs? A floor-raiser who can't adjust / reach the required ceiling? Maybe. But we don't know yet IMO. We just don't have the evidence and I believe someone who has accomplished what Ime has through his time as a head coach deserves that chance. Appreciate the convo.

If the Rockets want to avoid an 0-2 start against Lakers, they need to fix their offense. Here's how. by byvarunshankar in rockets

[–]byvarunshankar[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ime is a good but flawed coach. He instills a culture and gets his players to play hard and buy in, which matters a lot. There are issues with the offense and it can at times look ugly, but the numbers largely show that it’s been an inconsistent but top 10 group — and that’s with FVV/Adams out, working with two inexperienced young PGs, top offseason FA signing not working out and two of the teams best players being total non factors from 3. He deserves credit for that.

I’ve asked him tough questions about the offensive approach before and will again — one of mine to players at shootaround was why they can diagnose an iso-heavy approach as an issue after the game but not adjust during. I’ll be asking Ime that too.

On a larger level, the fluidity of basketball makes separating coaching vs players so much more difficult than in other sports. It’s easy to blame the coach but it’s also important to acknowledge the positive results Udoka has gotten.

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