Rockets Coach Ime Udoka Not to Make Changes to Starting Lineup
HOUSTON — Coach Ime Udoka was furious in the Houston Rockets' final game before the All-Star break. The Rockets sustained an embarrassing 121-113 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies inside the FedExForum on Feb. 14.
Udoka expressed his frustration by stating there could be a possible change to the starting lineup following the break.
He did take a moment to analyze his team. But due to the injuries that have plagued his rotation, Udoka will not change the Rockets' starting lineup amid their return Thursday night against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Rockets head coach Ime Udoka reacts during the second quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at Toyota Center.
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
"I took a look at some things and cut the first 54 games in half, and I rather get a look when we are more whole," Udoka said. "Dillon [Brooks] has missed nine games. Fred [VanVleet] has missed the last five. Jabari [Smith Jr.] missed four. The ups and downs we have had to start those games came from the different lineups.
"I felt we played better through the first 27 games than the last 27. I want to get back to that consistency. But I will take a look at our group and see if we can get back to that consistency and competitiveness that was seen during the first 27."
Udoka's frustration originated from the dreadful starts the Rockets have had in recent games. Houston fell behind by double-digits early in the first quarter. And by the second period, the Rockets trailed the Grizzlies by 21 points.
They closed the second quarter on a 26-8 run. But the success the Rockets started to have against the Grizzlies came when Udoka benched his starting unit.
Although injuries have played a significant role in Houston's first-quarter struggles, Udoka believes there are things he can do to help his team get off to better starts. His top priority is to get his players on the same page regardless of injuries that have hindered the team.
"It's all about putting guys in different positions to be successful," Udoka said. "Using guys to the best of their ability. Getting practice time in at the beginning of the season was beneficial. But once the games started to pile up, that's when we started to see some slippage."
With 24 wins on the season, the Rockets have eclipsed their win total of the previous three years. But if the NBA Play-In Tournament began today, Houston would be on the outside looking in.
The Rockets have their eyes set on qualifying for the Play-In Tournament. However, Houston has a daunting schedule within their first six games.
Following a road game against the Pelicans, the Rockets will play the Phoenix Suns and Oklahoma City Thunder over the next nine days. They will play a two-game series in Phoenix from Feb. 29 to Mar. 2.
Coming out of the break, the Rockets are 12th in the Western Conference and trail the Golden State Warriors and Utah Jazz for the 10th and final spot for the Play-In Tournament.
"I do not want to get away from the things we did well — specifically earlier in the season," Udoka said. "When it comes to effort and competitiveness. For the most part, we have been that, but we have not gotten off to the best start. That's the main thing for me, to put this group in the best situation to get off to the best start."
