How the Houston Rockets can maximize their rookies’ strengths
YOUTH MOVEMENT
27 June 2023
YOUTH MOVEMENT
The Rockets seemed to knock their two first round picks out of the ballpark last week, but how can Ime Udoka cast them in the right roles to bring out their best?
The Wheelhouse breaks it down. Listen to The Wheelhouse weekdays from 3pm to 7pm on ESPN 97.5 & 92.5 FM!
If you enjoy the videos, subscribe on YouTube for our latest content!
Jalen Green scored 26 points, Alperen Sengun had 22 points and 12 rebounds, and the Houston Rockets extended their winning streak to a season-best eight games, beating the Orlando Magic 116-108 on Wednesday night.
Fred VanVleet added 19 points for the Rockets, who maintained their second-place position in the Western Conference, ahead of — among others — the surging Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors.
Paolo Banchero led Orlando with 31 points. Franz Wagner added 20 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Magic, and reserve Goga Bitadze had 19 points and eight rebounds.
Rockets: Their streak included a six-game homestand. This was only their second road win since Jan. 28.
Magic: After nine losses in 13 games and six straight defeats at home, the Magic stand eighth in the East. Banchero has averaged 33 points over the last four games.
Green and VanVleet made 3-pointers to open and close a 12-0 run late in the third quarter that left the Rockets with an 80-65 lead.
The poorest free-throw shooting team in the NBA, the Rockets made 29 of 32 (90.6%) from the foul line.
Rockets: At Miami on Friday.
Magic: At Washington on Friday.