Coach Ime Udoka has breathed new life into the Rockets' offense by slotting second-year guard Reed Sheppard into the starting lineup. This move, which came in the midst of a competitive stretch, showed immediate promise.
Sheppard, making his 11th start of the season, stepped up as Houston snapped Atlanta's impressive 11-game winning streak, putting up 117 points. In just 25 minutes, Sheppard contributed 14 points, four rebounds, and four assists, shooting an impressive 4-of-7 from beyond the arc.
Kevin Durant praised the decision, highlighting Sheppard's ability to stretch the floor and create opportunities. “All the great basketball teams have multiple guys that can create for themselves and others,” Durant noted. “We’ve got five guys that can make plays and knock down shots, so we have to utilize that.”
Udoka, speaking post-game, mentioned his intention to test Sheppard in the starting role as the postseason approaches. While he plans to assess this lineup change over the next few games, he hasn't committed to keeping Sheppard as a starter for the remainder of the season.
“Reed has taken a significant step forward,” Udoka remarked. “We wanted more spacing and versatility out there, and this is a chance to get a final look before the playoffs.”
This adjustment saw Tari Eason moving to a sixth-man role, as he's been struggling with his shooting recently. Eason, who had missed 23 consecutive three-point attempts, finally broke the streak in the third quarter.
Jabari Smith Jr. offered some perspective, advising Eason to focus on his overall impact on the game rather than just his shooting. “You didn’t get to the league by just knocking down threes,” Smith said.
“Impact the game in your own way, and the shooting will come naturally.”
Meanwhile, Durant is closing in on a major milestone, sitting just 25 points shy of surpassing Michael Jordan for fifth place on the all-time scoring list. Reflecting on Jordan's influence, Durant shared, “Jordan has always been my inspiration. He was unstoppable, and I wanted to instill that same fear in defenders.”
Alperen Sengun, who made his second All-Star appearance this season, has faced some ups and downs. Despite being listed as questionable for the upcoming game against Miami due to back tightness, Udoka confirmed that Sengun is set to play, ensuring the Rockets will have their full roster available as they continue to fine-tune their lineup before the playoffs.