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

Nothing about this game makes me think we're a contender. The Lakers played as slack and bad a game as I've seen from any team against us this season. And for the most part, we played just as slack. We have the length and athleticism to score and rebound and make defensive plays. But I don't see anything like the intensity some bad teams have shown against us.

It could have been worse. We could have stooped even lower and lost. But winning this game was a low bar.

 

How did DFS look?

 

Very rusty, but it's all uphill from here.

 

My friend told me DFS would be an upgrade over Dillon. He showed nothing like that tonight. But I'm writing it off as his first game back.

 

Really hoping this is our "get right" game. I did not realize 18 of the first 28 games have been on the road.

Defense had not been up to par in December entering tonight's game. Great chance to return home and build some momentum on both ends of the floor.

Keep starting Tari!

 

Eventhough I dont think KD should be here I still want us to win. I was expecting a blowout loss so I didnt bother watching but Im pleasantly surprised and im not gonna take it for granted because we couldve easily looked bad on national tv on christmas.

 

Hopefully a Xmas win will bring some confidence to these boys. National tv games have been rough this rebuild. I’m surprised they did it Xmas day honestly lol

 

Why can't Ime have this big d energy?

 

No way he would be in shape in his first game back. I'm sure it will take a week or two to catch his rhythm. I don't think he is better than Dillon as a player, but I do believe he will make better decisions on the defensive end that doesn't hurt us. He is also a consistent corner 3 threat which should help out.

 

It's no surprise Tari and DFS come back and we start blowing out teams. That's our weakest position and Jabari ain't doing **** about it.

 

JJ on coke and banging Kardashians. He says whatever.

 

That makes sense. He's like Marco Rubio

 

Have to disagree. We didn’t play as bad as you’re saying here. And we clearly had a lot more intensity tonight compared to last few games against shitty teams.

 

My God, this is one of the most ridiculous things I’ve ever read. We dominated a very good team for the entire game, and this is your takeaway? No analysis, just a bunch of downplaying without substance. Go away.

 

I thought the rub on Ime was that he always blamed players, just like JJ just did.

 

Like a 76 Chevy. Change the points and plugs, put an electric ignition in him and he gonna take you places

 

Some of JJ's specific choice of words was interesting.

I wouldn't be surprised if one of "the guys who [consistently] don't want to make that choice" is Deandre Ayton.

"I'm not doing another 53 games of this". Well. OK. Then.

 

He putting everyone in the organization in a hard spot. Words of an inexperienced HC

 

It's actually crazier than that. The Rockets come home for 2, then immediately go back on the road for 2, then get a single home game before another 3-game road trip.

So they'll have played 23 out of their first 36 games on the road by January 11. The upside is it'll be a very home heavy schedule the rest of the way and the team is 8-2 currently at Toyota Center.