Forward of Saturday’s showdown for the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup in Las Vegas, Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault praised the Houston Rockets.
“Coach (Ime) Udoka has established a tradition of toughness there that could be very highly effective and really evident,” Daigneault stated throughout Thursday’s staff apply, relayed by Clemente Almanza. by OKC Thunder Wire. “He did an important job. The athleticism of this staff. They’ve electrical athletes in a number of spots. … They play hungry basketball each night time.”
Daigneault particularly referenced 5 gamers who lead Houston’s protection. The Thunder and Rockets rank No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, among the many NBA’s 30 groups. in internet defensive ranking.
“Clearly it is (Amen) Thompson who exhibits up there, however (Tari) Eason is a really scrappy participant,” Daigneault stated. “Jabari Smith Jr. has nice place measurement, as do (Dillon) Brooks and (Fred) VanVleet. These guys are robust, veteran, defensive-minded gamers.”
Mark Daigneault on the Rockets protection: “Coach Udoka has established a tradition of toughness there that could be very highly effective and really evident. He did a wonderful job. pic.twitter.com/J9kKXrFyJR
– Clémente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) December 12, 2024
The Rockets (17-8) and Thunder (19-5) at the moment maintain the highest two information within the Western Convention standings, and so they cut up two regular-season conferences at first of the 2024-25 marketing campaign. Everybody received at residence.
So, past the implications for the NBA Cup and the prospect to advance to Tuesday’s championship recreation, Saturday’s matchup is a rubber match and a probably essential one in a good race for the West standings.
Tip-off will happen at 7:30 p.m. at T-Cellular Enviornment Heart and the sport will probably be broadcast to a nationwide tv viewers by way of ABC.
Extra: Alperen Sengun on Rockets, NBA Cup: “I’ve by no means seen my staff so thirsty”
This text was initially revealed on Rockets Wire: “Tradition of toughness”: Thunder coach stuffed with reward for Houston protection
