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USA Today
17-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Podcast: Rockets-Warriors playoff series predictions, keys to success
Podcast: Rockets-Warriors playoff series predictions, keys to success Discussion topics on the series preview podcast include predictions and key storylines to watch for, as well as potentially crucial variables for Houston. Is the fifth time the charm? With a first-round series (schedule) against their longtime nemesis coming up, Rockets podcasters Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves explain why 2025 should finally be the time for Houston to beat Golden State in the NBA playoffs. The Rockets previously lost to the Warriors in 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2019 playoffs. However, all of those losses came during the previous James Harden-led era — when none of Houston's current players or coaches were part of the organization. As the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, these Rockets (52-30) will have home-court advantage over the No. 7 Warriors (48-34). Game 1 and Game 2 will take place on Sunday and Wednesday inside Houston's Toyota Center, as would Game 5 and Game 7 (if necessary). Game 3, Game 4, and Game 6 (if necessary) are slated for San Francisco's Chase Center. Looking ahead, discussion topics on the series preview podcast include key storylines to watch for; predictions on what is likely to happen; and the role of players such as Alperen Sengun, Tari Eason, Steven Adams, and Fred VanVleet as potentially crucial variables for the Rockets. Thursday's podcast, which is sponsored by Houston-based Karbach Brewing, can be listened to below in its entirety. Each episode of the show is also made available via flagship radio station SportsTalk 790 and to all major podcast distributors under 'The Lager Line.' More: With opponent set, Rockets begin preparations for first-round playoff series with Warriors
USA Today
16-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Podcast: Rockets' key variables and storylines for 2025 NBA playoffs
Podcast: Rockets' key variables and storylines for 2025 NBA playoffs Should the Rockets want the Warriors or the Grizzlies in the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs? Today's The Lager Line explores that and much more. The NBA's 2024-25 postseason begins with Tuesday night's play-in tournament games — and in the Western Conference, the Golden State-Memphis winner earns the No. 7 playoff seed and a date with the No. 2 Rockets in a first-round series. Game 1 will take place inside Houston's Toyota Center on Sunday, April 20. With that in mind, our latest podcast episode of The Lager Line (hosted by Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves) examines key variables and storylines for the Rockets (52-30) entering the 2025 playoffs. Discussion topics include whether the Warriors or Grizzlies would be a better matchup; arguments for Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., Jalen Green, and Ime Udoka as playoff X-factors; perspective on what the Rockets showed to end the regular season; and the implications of Phoenix (36-46) missing the playoffs and sending a 2025 draft lottery pick to Houston. Tuesday's podcast, which is sponsored by Clutch City Lager of Karbach Brewing, can be listened to below in its entirety. Each episode of the show is also made available via flagship radio station SportsTalk 790 and all major podcast distributors under 'The Lager Line.' More: By the numbers: Rockets finish regular season at 52-30, No. 2 in West
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rockets blast Spurs as Dillon Brooks (five 3-pointers) extends career shooting year
HOUSTON -- The Rockets wrapped up a home back-to-back at Toyota Center with Wednesday's dominant 118-106 victory (box score) over the San Antonio Spurs. With the win, Houston (37-22) improved to 20-9 at home and moved up to No. 4 in the Western Conference standings. San Antonio (24-32), which cut into the final margin in the fourth quarter after trailing by as many as 28 points, is third-to-last among 15 West teams. It was a balanced effort for the Rockets, who led comfortably throughout while overcoming a recent trend of subpar performances on night two of back-to-backs. Individual statistics of note included: Amen Thompson: 25 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists; 12-of-15 shooting (80.0%) Jalen Green: 21 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists; 9-of-17 shooting (52.9%), 3-of-8 on 3-pointers (37.5%) Dillon Brooks: 19 points, 4 rebounds; 5-of-8 on 3-pointers (62.5%) Jabari Smith Jr.: 9 points, 10 rebounds Alperen Sengun: 9 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists Jeff Green: 13 points, 3 rebounds in 20 minutes; 6-of-12 shooting (50.0%) Keldon Johnson (Spurs): 22 points, 5 rebounds; 8-of-13 shooting (61.5%), 6-of-6 on free throws Stephon Castle (Spurs): 22 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals; 9-of-22 shooting (40.9%), 1-of-7 on 3-pointers (14.3%) Brooks is now shooting a career-high 39.6% on 3-pointers this season, all on a career-leading volume of 6.1 attempts per game. Fred VanVleet (right ankle strain) and Tari Eason (left lower leg injury management on half of back-to-backs) were unavailable for the Rockets. Eason is expected to return when Houston resumes its schedule Saturday, while VanVleet's status for that game is not yet confirmed. The Spurs were without young superstar Victor Wembanyama, who is out for the remainder of the NBA's 2024-25 season with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder. Houston is now 5-2 after a six-game losing streak in early February. After losing the rebounding battle by 17 in last Saturday's loss at Utah, the Rockets were +16 on the glass during Tuesday's victory over Milwaukee and +19 (60-41) in Wednesday's dominant win against the Spurs. Ime Udoka tells ESPN that Fred VanVleet should be "good to go" when the Rockets resume play Saturday vs. Sacramento — Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) February 27, 2025 ESPN's Brian Windhorst: "Let's give some love to Jalen Green."Chiney: "Put some respect on his name. They're fourth in the West, and he's their leading scorer."Richard Jefferson: "He should be a candidate for the NBA's Most Improved Player." — Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) February 27, 2025 More Jay Bilas on Jalen Green: "He is so confident right now, taking on playmaking responsibilities in addition to scoring. He was GREAT in that game against Minnesota." — Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) February 27, 2025 Feel like Jalen Green has been very good tonight as the PG and with play creation. Making the right passes and reads. #Rockets — Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) February 27, 2025 Your friendly reminder that Dillon Brooks — with 5 3s tonight — is shooting a career high 39 percent from deep on six attempts per. Remarkable turnaround for someone who was essentially run out of Memphis just a few seasons ago. — Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) February 27, 2025 Amen Thompson putting on a footwork CLINIC 🔥📺 HOU leads on ESPN — NBA (@NBA) February 27, 2025 Amen Thompson is so quick and explosive in transition with no one between him and the basket, but underrated is how he can operate in tight spaces when there's a crowd under the basket. His bag is deep. — Danielle Lerner (@danielle_lerner) February 27, 2025 Dillon Brooks is now shooting a career-high 39.6% on 3-pointers, all on a career-high volume of 6.1 attempts per game — Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) February 27, 2025 "Shoutout a legend, Hakeem!" 🗣️Amen with a nod to the 🐐 — Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) February 27, 2025 #Rockets beat San Antonio 118-106Amen Thompson🚀25 PTS🚀9 REB🚀5 AST🚀2 BLK@HoustonRockets I #Liftoff — Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) February 27, 2025 #Rockets beat the Spurs 118-106Dillon Brooks 🏀19 PTS🏀5-8 3PT🏀@HoustonRockets I #Liftoff — Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) February 27, 2025 FYI, Ime Udoka said Cam Whitmore's decreased minutes are due to Jabari Smith Jr. coming back.'There's not a ton of minutes, just like at the start of the season, for all the wings. Like I said, depth is a really good problem but people are gonna get squeezed out for sure.' — Danielle Lerner (@danielle_lerner) February 27, 2025 The Rockets will wrap up a three-game homestand when the Sacramento Kings (30-28) visit on Saturday night. Tipoff from Toyota Center is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Central. More: Rockets 100, Bucks 97: In gritty win, Houston draws postgame praise for defense, culture This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Rockets blast Spurs as Dillon Brooks improves on career shooting year
