ClutchFans Game Thread: Celtics @ Rockets 2/4/2026

One of those nights where nothing works. But, we are 8-3 in our last eleven games, so let’s not overreact. Sure, we don’t look like a true contender right now. But, let’s see how we look in the playoffs.

I don’t see the Rockets as a top three team in the West without Adams or FVV. I’m not sure we would be top three even with those guys, but they would have helped a lot. But, injuries are part of the game, and we got dealt a bad hand.

What concerns me right now is that neither Reed nor Amen really looks like our point guard of the future. I think the Rockets were expecting one of those guys to emerge to be our number one PG and they have both struggled to be that guy.

I’ve been a vocal supporter of Reed, and I’ve viewed Amen as untouchable. But, I’m having doubts about both. Amen is a legit big time NBA player, I just don’t see him as our do everything PG that some were hoping for. Reed has shown flashes, but I don’t know what he ultimately will become in this league.

 

Not to mention Bryce Drew off the bench.

 

The team is suffering from bad offense. We can see the offense is solely dependent on KD if he isnt on the offense is horrible.

It just seems to be AAU bball no good offensive sets and lots of isos. Mazula read Udoka like a book and coached all over him.

Jabari 3/7 from 3, Tari 4/6 from the field, these two guys were hitting their shots why werent they able to take more possessions? Again this falls on the coach he cant design plays and tell the players go to Tari more or go to Jabari more. Instead we got forced shots from KD, Sengun has to create all the offense and theres no direction or flow from the coach.

 

The Hornets are playing their best basketball of like the last 13 years so if we go into tomorrow like we did today, we’re gonna be smacked around.

I’d rather not get smacked around…

 

At this point, start Reed at PG.. We'll still get 50 wins and be out in the 1st or 2nd rd regardless... Just do it!

 

Cave Man Ime would've made a great assistant for D'Antoni

 

I think you missed the point of what I was trying to say. Regardless of how shitty the calls are, if you call any ref a b*tch, you’re going to get a technical foul. I ALSO said I think that particular ref is no good at her job.

Alpi complains to the refs too much anyway, to the detriment of his game at times.

 

I agree it’s to the detriment of the games but these refs deserve to be called names for the stuff they call, irregardless if their gender. idk if it was worth an ejection tho

 

That's the first time he has had the coaching staff take any accountability tbh

 

This team is not going to grow out of this. What you have are a bunch of 3&D roll players, a center who plays below the rim, a 37 year old star, and only 2 guards - one of whom forgot how to shoot and another one who has never learned.

The Celtics seem to find guys who are only adequate athletes but are great at shooting, passing, and dribbling - you know, the basketball things.

The Rockets are at an inflection point. These guys you keep waiting on for growth? Now they want to get paid. The team is going to commit a huge amount of money to Amen and Tari, and it's going to lock them into what you see now.

 

LOL

wtf does that even mean

They don't run screens ever anyways..

The answer is put more shooters on the floor so you can punish them doofus

 

im concerned none of our 3 best young core players are better than any of OKC’s top 3 or Denver’s top 2 or San Antonio’s top 2. And I’m also concerned that it looks like we may be sitting out back to back drafts that happen to be two of the best this decade under the guise that we don’t need anymore young talent. I still think Amen is our best chance for an all-nba player. But we need to add more talent. This idea that we are set is a fantasy.

 

we've done a terrible job with player development

I don't think players that come to houston maximize their potential

hell we play to their weaknesses here

 

Did not listen to the whole thing but if it is just this, it is not accountability. He knows he can’t go without saying something about the coaches and he goes with a word on how they should feel not the reason for it. Then he brings in the players to the same boat and go with the toughness routine.

 

Should’ve gone after the real White and or Pritchard, but Ime didn’t even value their shooting in Boston. Lonzo “cannot shoot the” Ball it is. Let’s hope for a play-in or worse so Ime can be on the hot seat.

 

That was one of the first great questions I can remember the Rockets typically vanilla media asking.

Is it not on you Ime to put Amen off ball like you mentioned? Not sure how that is on Amen. This Amen at PG experiment has to end. Horrible court vision, Bari-like handles, and Ben Simmons level shooting. He is not and never well he a PG. I have no idea who got the idea he could be a PG.

 

Right

Rockets actually played good defense 1st half. Held Celtics to 40% FG, 29% 3ptrs

But inability to put the ball through the hoop, then getting held off the offensive boards, just will drag the entire team effort down.

What are the gonna do, hold Celtics to 30% shooting rest of the game to under 80 points? That's just totally unrealistic and unsustainable. Need to make shots

 

Fkn trade everyone. Worst loss of the season. Wtf.