The Rockets beat the Raptors, and Okogie entered the starting lineup. Why can the Rockets transform on both ends of the offense and defense?

The Rockets defeated the Raptors 139:121 in an away game, ushering in two consecutive victories in the new season and completing their first away win this season. They currently have 2 wins and 2 losses, bringing their winning rate back to 50%.

The Rockets have scored more than 137 points in two consecutive games. Compared with the strong defensive team last season, the Rockets have become a strong offensive team this season. The Rockets' offensive efficiency is currently No. 1 in the league. All these changes will start with Uduka's change of formation.

Uduka's change of formation is to replace Okogie in the starting lineup and move Adams out of the starting lineup. When Uduka is in the top five, the height of the court is full, and the rebounding and frame protection are also top in the league. However, the disadvantage is also very obvious. The mobility is too poor, and Uduka needs to set up a zone defense for a long time.

For this reason, the Rockets' past opponents have not had poor shooting efficiency from beyond the three-point line and have made a lot of hits. In the opening game, the Thunder hit 13 three-pointers, the Pistons hit 16 three-pointers, and the Nets hit 15 three-pointers. In this game, the Raptors hit 21 three-pointers against the Rockets. Udoka used a heavy lineup, and missed three-pointers became inevitable.

When Adams + Amen + Shen Jing are on the court, the Rockets' offensive space is very constipated. Although this season, Shen Jing's space attributes have improved and no longer become a black hole in space. But in the new season, Amen made 0 of 10 three-pointers from beyond the three-point line. Although Okogie is not good at three-pointers in his career, his three-point shooting rate this season is as high as 60%. When Okogie is put into the starting lineup, the Rockets' space problem is easily solved.

Uduka refined the division of labor among players and made the positioning and use of players clearer, prompting the Rockets' starters and substitutes to play in a more orderly manner.

In the starting lineup, Amen Thompson was responsible for dribbling the ball through half the court and assuming the responsibilities of the point guard. However, Amen changed his role from the previous ball dealer. When Amen dribbled the ball through half the court, he handed the ball to Shen Jing or Durant as the pivot. Amen changed from a substantial point guard to a pseudo point guard. Amen then moved to the ghost position and ran to a position he is familiar with. The other three opened up space and used their strengths and weaknesses.

To a certain extent, the effect of Amen switching to point guard is not good. Amen cannot bear the bonus brought by point guard. The three-point shooting seems to have not been developed to a certain degree of threat and accuracy. It is more difficult for Amen to become the core of team building, and it seems that the probability of becoming a senior blue collar is greater.

In the substitution transition period, Uduka will use the combination of Ethan + Amen + Shepard + Adams + Shen Jing. With this combination, the Twin Towers + Goalkeeper combination will continue to set up a zone defense. Uduka has refined the positioning of such a zone defense. Shepard + Amen will be on the line, and Ethan + Shen Jing + Adams will be off the line. The Rockets use this position mainly to promote a fast-paced offensive and defensive transition.

Generally in the second quarter, Capela replaces Shen Jing, Durant replaces Adams, and Uduka uses Shen Jing or Durant to lead the team alone. When the twin towers are on the court at the same time, the Rockets defend the zone. When the Rockets have a single center, the Rockets guard man-to-man. Especially when Capela is on the court, Uduka usually configures Shepard as a partner to activate Capela from the offensive end.

The Rockets do not have a serious point guard, but they have been able to score 137+ points in these two games. The Rockets' lineup integration and chemical reaction are improving. Because they do not have a serious guard, the Rockets made 24 turnovers against the Thunder at the beginning of the game. Uduka's current adjustment is to let Shen Jing and Durant play more pick-and-rolls, so that opponents dare not double-team each other. When the two play alone, the opponent must choose one of the two bottles of poison.

In this game, the Raptors adopted the strategy of double-teaming Shen Jing. For this reason, Shen Jing only took 8 shots in the game, but had a game-high 9 assists. Durant digested a lot of ball rights, making 11 of 19 in the game. The key wave in the fourth quarter took away the game, demonstrating extremely explosive scoring power. The Rockets' ace combination is now Shen Jing and Durant playing pick-and-roll.

In the transition period between the substitutes, Uduka continued the strategy of last season, able to grab and fight, grab a lot of offensive rebounds, and hit the basket a lot. This game continued this strategy. For this reason, the Rockets scored 66:36 inside, 30 points more than the Raptors, 23:11 in the second attack, 17:4 in offensive rebounds, and 27:7 in fast break points. The Rockets have carried forward all the parts they are good at and regained the enthusiasm and resilience they once played. The Rockets still defend as a team, do the dirty work, and leave the heavy responsibility to Durant and Shen Jing.

Without a pure defender, the Rockets must invest more energy in fighting, defense and rebounding to improve the fault tolerance rate. With the efforts of electric fans, and as the season progresses and the Rockets introduce point guards, the Rockets' strength may be further improved. Stay patient and adjust the lineup, and the Rockets' strength will naturally come naturally.