Rockets head coach Ime Udoka highlighted Dorian Finney-Smith’s impact despite limited scoring in Houston’s 117-100 win over Cleveland. “He won’t be a man… you see what happened when he was in the game. The shots and the rhythm will eventually come back… adds to the depth… great to have him back and take the rust off little by little,” Udoka said.
Udoka emphasized the importance of recent victories after a challenging stretch. “You lose a couple of overtime games… the record looks a lot different… you’re just trying to clean up the things that you can control,” he said, praising the team’s focus and ability to maintain its lead despite previous setbacks.
Reed Sheppard’s defensive instincts were a major topic during the press conference. “He’s got great instincts… 10 of their 12 turnovers were steals… we want him to be more solid on the ball, and not make as many mistakes on shooters. He’s gotten better at that,” Udoka said, noting that Sheppard also recorded four steals and a block in the game.
Udoka praised the Rockets’ evolving guard play and ball-handling rotations. “It’s getting better and better… the handling by multiple guys, the screening by multiple guys… Reed and the guys specifically took on that job and improved over the year,” he explained, highlighting the flexibility and growth of the backcourt.
The Rockets’ spacing and offensive balance were also key to their success. “Kickout threes are a big thing…multiple guys can be put in the action…it keeps teams off balance and allows Steven to get behind and get on the glass,” Udoka said, citing Steven Adams’ contributions on offensive rebounds and smart floor positioning.
Reflecting on the team defense, Udoka emphasized communication and IQ over raw statistics. “I’m not going to see his value in the stats … communication, IQ, toughness … great to have him back and take the rust off little by little,” he said, highlighting the intangible contributions that helped Houston take control of the game.
Udoka also pointed to the Rockets’ ability to manage possessions and yardage. “Spacing and shooters…multiple guys handling the ball…keeps teams off balance…if he doesn’t get on it, a lot of guys are also free for rebounds,” he said, underscoring the synergy between scoring threats and smart rebounding.
Houston outscored Cleveland 51-42, shooting 49% from the field, including 46% from three-point range. The Rockets controlled the game from start to finish, with Kevin Durant leading the way with 30 points and seven assists before resting in the fourth quarter.
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