No. 5 changed to No. 4! The Rockets rose in the rankings, thanks to the Suns for the gift! Dillon scored 25 points and assisted his former team

After the Rockets lost to the Nuggets in the previous game, their ranking dropped directly from third in the Western Conference to fifth in the Western Conference. After 14 games, the Rockets' record is 10 wins and 4 losses, which looks pretty good, but in fact, in the Western Conference where strong players are gathered, losing a game may lead to a decline in ranking. Therefore, 82 regular season games seems very long, and losing one or two games does not seem to matter. However, these two games may directly determine a team's final record and regular season ranking, and even affect whether it can enter the playoffs. That's what the small difference in record is about.

The Rockets should win more games at all costs, and preferably strive for home court advantage in the playoffs. In this way, the Rockets' physical fitness and confidence can be guaranteed. Especially in the playoffs, the Rockets lack main point guard VanVleet, and their shortcomings will be infinitely magnified. Without the home court advantage bonus, it may be very difficult for the Rockets to break through the first round of the playoffs. Durant's decline in status is very obvious, and Shen Jing is not a super center, so the Rockets should strive to win every game.

Unfortunately, Durant will rest in the next two games due to personal reasons and will not play for the Rockets against the Suns and Warriors. However, the Rockets, who did not have a game today, have risen in the rankings. According to the latest Western Conference ranking list, the Rockets directly rose from fifth in the Western Conference to fourth in the Western Conference. The Rockets did not have a game, but today their two rivals, the Spurs and the Suns, had a confrontation. In the end, the Suns relied on the performance of Booker, Dillon Brooks and other outside players to defeat the Spurs who lacked Vunbanyama.

Although Spurs guard Fox scored 26 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists, the Suns scored more evenly. Booker contributed 24 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists, while Goodwin had a double-double with 15 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists. Former Rockets player Dillon Brooks performed even better, making 10 of 24 shots and 4 of 12 three-pointers. He scored a team-high 25 points and had 2 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 steals. It was Dillon Brooks' outstanding performance that gave the Rockets a big gift that improved the team's ranking.

After this game, the Rockets returned to the top four in the Western Conference, while the Spurs fell to fifth in the Western Conference after losing, with a current record of 11 wins and 5 losses. The Suns climbed to sixth place in the Western Conference, with a record of 11 wins and 6 losses, a winning rate of nearly 65%, and only 0.5 wins behind the Spurs and Rockets. And they are currently on a three-game winning streak and are one of the best teams in the Western Conference.

Today the Suns defeated the Spurs and gave the Rockets a gift of ranking improvement, but tomorrow the Rockets will directly compete with the Suns. The winning team's ranking will definitely improve, while the losing team's ranking may decline. Therefore, how the Rockets can defeat the powerful Phoenix Suns without Durant is a question that Uduka and Shen Jing need to consider.

Durant is averaging close to 25 points per game this season, and it is difficult for the Rockets to find a player who can completely replace him. The Rockets may be hampered offensively in the next game, but if they can play a top-notch defensive performance, defeating the Suns won't actually be a problem. After all, Shen Jing can always perform like a superstar when facing some second- and third-rate centers. Don't forget, with Sheppard as a marksman, the Rockets still have a chance to win on the road.