With 4 consecutive victories, the Houston Rockets are at the moment 26-12 and occupy second place within the rankings. Western Convention standings. That is effectively forward of their expectations for the 2024-25 NBA season.
But because the midway level of the 82-game common season looms, head coach Ime Udoka is in no temper to relaxation on his laurels or take victory laps. When requested to charge his group’s season after Monday’s victory towards MemphisUdoka harassed that his group shouldn’t be removed from being even higher.
His response, by way of Adam Spolane from SportsRadio 610:
We are able to nonetheless enhance significantly, and that is the great factor. While you have a look at our 12 losses, you could possibly lower that quantity in half primarily based on some fourth quarter occasions that occurred early within the 12 months…and a number of the dangerous losses to Charlotte, Portland, and San Antonio, the groups we thought we might . took care of enterprise towards.
Now we have performed very well towards the underperforming groups and performed effectively towards the great groups, for essentially the most half. So I feel these are all constructing blocks and the boldness continues to develop. However what characterizes us as a workers and in our group is that we all know that we are able to enhance much more. That’s why we’re wanting to know the place we’re and the place we are able to get.
Udoka rightly famous {that a} Jan. 3 loss to the reigning NBA champions, the Boston Celtics — which was accompanied by the Rockets’ absence of three Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason in as a consequence of accidents – was the one sport within the final two video games. months wherein Houston did not have not less than an opportunity to win within the fourth quarter.
Briefly, even the losses have virtually all the time been very aggressive.
Now, if Houston is ready to pair that aggressive dynamic with higher half-court execution on the finish of shut video games, the hope is that it propels the Rockets to higher heights within the second half of the season.
This text was initially printed on Rockets Wire: At 26-12 and No. 2 within the West, Ime Udoka thinks the Rockets needs to be higher
