ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Lakers 12/25/2025

Amen’s early shooting woes at the rim were disappointing, but I have held the faith that he would correct this. It’s not a done deal yet, but his last 5 games he has turned it around. If Amen continues to hit the bunnies, having Tari and DFS back as 3 pt shooters will open the court back up. Durant is not an initiator and our best offense going forward is Amen, Sengun (from the low block primarily) and Reed initiating in the half court. Mostly Amen and Reed when he is substituted in. Hopefully Ime has learned his lesson and he doesn’t revert back to the Durant/Sengun show. I also love that Holiday didn’t see the floor until garbage time.

 

this guy gets it

 

The Rockets had 17 Offensive Rebounds for the game.

There were points deep into the game where the Rockets had more ORs than the Lakers had Rs.

 

Rebounding and FTs, if both are low numbers that shows effort. Lakers 25 Rebounds and 11 FTs, Rockets was gifted last night. Space Jam stud with -33 and NBA Ambassador walked off 1st to the locker room after the game. GOAT is more like a mule.

 

If the Rockets are unable to catch the Spurs and Nuggets by season's end, it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to be the 4th seed with the Lakers right behind us and winding up as our first round opponent.

Obviously the ideal scenario is the 2nd seed and facing one of the play-in teams, but that's gonna be a lot tougher to pull off than last season.

 

The depth is nice, and I hope Ime maximizes it. I’ve always thought that if you want the #1 defense, you need to spread the minutes and demand maximum effort when players are on the court. The Rockets’ defense has been horrible this month (and not top tier for most of the year), and they need to get back to being a top-3 defensive team to go deep in the playoffs.

 

The Rockets had 17 OReb. The Lakers had 18 DReb. It's almost 50% OReb rate.

 

He was shooting lights out for the first 1-2 months of the season, but every team believed that was an outlier, and they were right. Okogie is an energy guy, best utilized for disruption off the bench. He’s not big or strong enough to guard the way the Rockets should be guarding while also not bringing the 3P shot. A poor 3nD guy, but he has an amazing hustle motor -- an Energizer Bunny.

 

We won and thats what matters, but i still see the core reasons we lost to the ****ing Clippers.

 

Yeah. This is still an issue. But at least Tari and DFS are minor upgrades to shooting, defense, and size.

 

Looked rusty and missed some rotations, but he was fine for his minutes.

 

Great great unexpected win.




.... hopefully the beginning of an .850 win stretch.

 

No real contender in sight...

 

I rarely ask for much, but beating an La team is one of those things. Great win, boys. Santa came through.

 

didn't get the contract extension he thought he was going to get.

verdict: mail it in like he usually does

 

I skipped the last couple of games because I was too irritated by the overtime losses and busy getting ready for/having Christmas festivities, but I was encouraged watching the highlights and seeing that Amen hit a couple of midrange jumpers. I've been tracking his FG% over the course of the season and it's come up from around 47% at his low point about ten games ago to 51% now.

Still waiting on that corner three point shot to come back for him. I think it will.

 

Whatever.

Defense should be better at least.

 

lol

 

Thought he was questionable yesterday.