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Like the pistons, the Rockets will find the playoffs after years of waiting and reconstruction. Better still, the players of Ime Udoka are well left to finish in 2nd place in the West, and that night, they sent a message by winning largely against the Thunder, undefeated since 11 games! The good news of the evening is that they are guaranteed to have the advantage of the field, and to finish in the worst 4th.
“There are many good teams in the west, and it will not be easy, we already know”warns Alperen Sengun (31 points). “It's a real plus for us to have the advantage of the field. We play hard at home, nobody wants to lose at home, so this is very good news. »»
Winning “tall ball”
Two more victories, over the last four games, and the Rockets will even be guaranteed to be seeded number 2 and face a training from the Play-in. “This victory shows that when we are concentrated, that we pay attention to details and that we play with intensity, we are one of the best NBA teams”, Considers Jalen Greenauthor of 34 points. “If we do it regularly, we play hard and put our shots, we become really difficult to defend. »»
Dillon Brooks suspended, Ime Udoka had decided to bet on “Tall Ball” with the Sangun-Adam pair to respond to the Holmgren-Hartenstein doublet. “With Steven and me in the five, the goal was to set the tone from the start of the match” Confirms Alperen Sengun, who plants 31 points.
“This starting five has clearly brought a real physical impact”, a commentary to make peacefully. “It was undoubtedly one of our most committed matches from the interwar period. I really appreciated the aggressiveness of the team and the rigor with which she followed the game plan. Şengun and Adams, as usual, were formidable to the rebound, offering many second chances. They simply continued on their momentum, in continuity with what they have been showing us since the start of the season. »»
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander well contained
In the figures, it gives 48 sockets against 33 for the Thunder, and many balloons came out to use the defense and offer second chances.
All while limiting Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to 22 points, with only two tempted free throws. “It was not easy”recognized Ime Udoka about the defense on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. “He uses his physique well, grows slightly, creates contact … You have to stay solid and dispute your shots without making mistakes. The main thing was to put pressure on the back, to show him players when he came out of the screens, and the guys really executed. It was a key factor in our victory: we limited his 3-point shots, his passages on the throw line, and from there, we were able to contain it. »»
A collective effort which delights Jalen Green, author of a superb end of the season, and which underlines the conquering state of mind of the group. “This is what is born from victories” he concludes. “I would summarize it like that: cohesion, we are all on the same wavelength, in the same state of mind. We all have the same goal: we pursue something together. »»
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