Rockets 110-121 Spurs! Unfortunately, it’s not the loss, it’s Durant’s apology after the game, and Xiao Xie also takes the blame

In the group stage of the NBA Cup, the Rockets lost to the Spurs 110-121. Rockets fans sighed one after another. When the final buzzer sounded, the numbers on the scoreboard were like a dull knife, slowly but accurately cutting through the Rockets' confidence this season. 110 to 121, the 11-point gap seemed small, but it was enough to make Uduka silent at the door of the locker room for a long time. After all, the Rockets had just won five consecutive victories, but their momentum was cut off. The Rockets lost because Uduka changed formation too slowly, and the top five were shot over by the Spurs from outside. Then there were too many mistakes, including 8 for Durant.

In fact, Sheppard performed very well in the second quarter, and the Rockets led by 8 points. After that, the top five companies were targeted miserably. Then in the third quarter, the Spurs' outside firepower poured down like a torrential rain. Bunyama provided support from the high post, and the Spurs coach's tactical board was filled with arrows for open three-pointers. The Rockets' five deadliest players - Durant, Shen Jing, Smith, Adams, and Amen Thompson - are weapons in transition between offense and defense. They have advantages in positioning, but they appear clumsy in the face of the Spurs' rapid rotation. Uduka stubbornly let this lineup play for three more minutes. It was not until the Spurs hit four three-pointers in a row that opened the point difference to 12 points that he suddenly woke up and replaced Sheppard and Okogie. Unfortunately, it was too late, the Spurs' rhythm was like a wild horse, and the Rockets' defensive system was torn to pieces.

Mistakes are another trump card tonight. The team committed 23 turnovers and gave their opponents a fast break opportunity on average every four minutes. Durant took over 8 times alone, setting a new high for him in a single game this season. Once at a 45-degree angle on the left, he tried to dribble away from the defense behind his back, but was intercepted by Vunbanyama's long arm; once in a transition attack, he forced a breakthrough to face a three-person double team, and the ball rolled directly out of bounds after being poked away. The camera swept across the sidelines, Uduka's brows were furrowed, like two volcanoes about to erupt.

After the game, Durant stood alone in the mixed interview area, the light shining on his slightly tired face. His voice was low but firm: "I personally made 8 turnovers today, and I think this is the reason for (the defeat). I have to do better, so that I can also help other players in the team. Today is my responsibility, and I can't shirk it."

The data does not lie: played 37 minutes, 8 of 18 shots, 1 of 2 three-pointers, 7 of 7 free throws, 24 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 8 turnovers. Durant felt a rebound today, but his mistakes were too careless, which is an old problem. And this report card is not common in Durant's career, but it truly reflects the struggle tonight. He is not the kind of person who is used to shirk responsibility. On the contrary, he always chooses to face the most glaring data head on.

In the middle of the game, there was an impressive scene. With 4 minutes and 12 seconds left in the third quarter, the Rockets once narrowed the point difference to 7 points. Durant advanced with the ball. Facing the Spurs' zone defense, he suddenly accelerated and broke through. He European-stepped past Bunyama, but his layup was interfered by the latter's long arm. The ball hit the rim and bounced out of the frame. When returning to defense, he took the initiative to reach out and signaled to his teammates not to complain about the penalty, but to quickly get into position. At that moment, you could feel his efforts to use actions to correct his mistakes. Unfortunately, basketball is a team sport, and one person's awakening cannot instantly reverse the team's decline.

Uduka rarely protected Durant at the press conference: "Losing is not the responsibility of one person. Our whole team has problems. 23 turnovers are unacceptable, but this is just a loss in the group stage. We don't need to panic."

He specifically mentioned the performance of young players: "The Spurs kids played more energetically, and our young people were suppressed tonight." Indeed, Amen, Shen Jing and others in the Rockets looked a little uncomfortable when facing Bunyama, Vassell, and Castleton. In particular, Shen Jing was completely blocked by Bunyama's wingspan in the interior. Several strong attacks ended in blackouts, and were even blocked. With a record of 5 wins and 3 losses, the Rockets are still firmly in the top eight in the Western Conference, but this defeat exposed too many problems. The chemical reaction of the top five of death has not yet taken shape, Durant's pressure on holding the ball is too great, and the decision-making stability of young players is insufficient. These are growing pains, but they are also hidden dangers that must be faced squarely.

Next up against the Bucks, Antetokounmpo's hot form will bring a greater test to the Rockets. If the Rockets can't make adjustments in terms of turnover control and defensive rotations, there may be another sigh.

Shepard performed well today. Even overpowering Castle. Xiao Xie also said after the game that turnovers and rebound protection were not the fault of Durant alone, but that the entire team needed to pay attention. But Durant just renewed his contract with the Rockets for 2 years and 90 million. Perhaps it is this self-critical character that allows him to still maintain top competitiveness at the age of 37. The Rockets are not done, they just need time. And time has always been the cruelest referee in the league.