Even without KD, he is very powerful! The Rockets turn into a strong form and eat down the sun. Young people determine the team s offensive and defensive background.

The Rockets defeated the Suns 114-92. In the absence of Durant, they still overwhelmed the Suns.

The Suns have 8 wins and 1 loss in the previous 9 games. They have been in hot form recently and are by no means a weakling. However, the Rockets scored 18-4 on the Suns on fast break, and 54-30 on the Suns inside. The Rockets easily controlled the situation with their impact and destructive power in the penalty area. Amen flew into the sky and escaped to the ground, and Shen Jing's singles served as the axis to attract double teams and feed the shooters. The Rockets created a perfect combination of inside and outside around the two strong points of Amen and Shen Jing.

Booker only scored 18 points and 5 assists on 5-of-13 shooting, but made 6 turnovers. The Rockets used Okogie/Amen single defense and pick-and-roll attacks to almost lock Booker down. He only scored 3 points in the fourth quarter - even if Dillon and Gillespie were smoking, they would definitely not be able to defeat the Rockets.

Amen single-handedly penetrated the Suns' defense with 28 points and 8 assists. Holiday scored 22 points off the bench. All nine members of the rotation scored before garbage time. Even without Durant, Fan, Ethan, and VanVleet, the Rockets still had everyone on board.

The Rockets were even more passionate on the defensive end. Their ferocious flanking and pressing forced the Suns to make 21 turnovers. Okogie, Holiday, and Davidson were all desperate. Booker was continuously intercepted by the Rockets at the top of the arc. He was unable to move even an inch and was doubted about his life.

The Rockets' investment on both ends of the offense and defense is like a perpetual motion machine that cannot feel tired, beating down the sun in its roaring operation.

The Rockets played a typical style of their rise last season, and also proved that their success so far this season does not rely on Durant. The team's offense and defense led by young people is the real fundamentals.

Durant took personal leave and Sheppard started. His defense is the focus of the offensive and defensive game between the two sides.

The Suns opened the offensive end against Shepard. Whoever Shepard was guarding would set up a screen for Booker. Shepard was called in the pick-and-roll, creating an advantageous singles matchup between Booker and Shepard. The Suns opened the military training with Shepard directly using the open-card style of play.

Uduka was also fully prepared before the game. He expected that the Suns would bully Sheppard's defense, and carefully designed defensive matchups and countermeasures.

Okogie defends Booker, while Shepard plays against Goodwin. Since the Suns start with a standard one inside and four outside lineup composed of Richards + O'Neal + Goodwin + Dillon + Booker, Goodwin is the one with the weakest ball-handling ability and impact power among the four outside players, allowing Sheppard to bear the least defensive pressure against Goodwin.

When Booker called on Shepard in the outside pick-and-roll, the Rockets used a delayed return: Shepard first helped Okogie flank Booker when guarding the pick-and-roll, and then switched defenses nearby to cover the Suns' open shooters—that is, always keeping Okogie in front of Booker and not letting Booker single out Shepard. Instead, they would rather let Goodwin/O'Neal/Dillon take advantage of the time difference between Shepard's return to grab three-pointers and admit death.

In the same way, the Rockets also used this method to protect Shen Jing from being singled out by Booker when guarding the 1/5 pick-and-roll. Booker and Richards initiated the pick-and-roll, and the Rockets directly double-teamed Booker on the line. Smith, who is 211 centimeters tall, has the rotation to protect the basket and cover the basket - go up the line, shrink the weak side to cover the middle basket, and acquiesce to the Suns' weak-side corner three-point draw.

The Rockets' defensive thinking is very clear. They protect the penalty area at all costs, pick and roll Booker, and allow Dillon and Goodwin to draw three-pointers. The two brothers only made 1 of their first 7 three-pointers. This is the key to the Rockets' lead on the scene.

Shen Jing and Amen both had the right to clear their positions, and the Rockets played a team breakthrough offensive system with points leading to areas.

Neither Richards nor Iguodaro can guard Shen Jing alone. Whenever Shen Jing passes the ball in the low post and one-on-one, the Suns have to double attack Shen Jing. The rest of the Rockets handled the ball 4-on-3, with Shepard and Amen taking turns to score and shoot three-pointers, while Davidson and Holiday followed suit.

The Rockets have two strong points in Amen and Shen Jing who can destroy the defense one-on-one. Shepard can also hold the ball and instigate pick-and-rolls. Once the Suns are on the strong side, the Rockets use smooth sudden points to transfer the ball and score three-pointers - Shen Jing, Holiday, Smith, and Davidson hit a total of 8 three-pointers in the first half, especially Holiday hit 4 three-pointers as a substitute. The Rockets used the internal and external play of the strong and weak sides to establish a 13-point lead early.

The Suns also went crazy, with Booker, Dillon, and Gillespie taking turns playing singles: Booker held the ball in pick-and-rolls, throwing and throwing the ball when not flanking; Dillon turned on the "reckless man mode" and bravely attacked the basket with the ball and scored 9 points in a row; Gillespie, who is 185 centimeters tall, also showed off his singles shooting skills, scoring 13 points on 5 of 7 in the first half!

The Suns' three ball-handlers, Booker, Dillon, and Gillespie, singled out for sudden points and fierce attacks. The Rockets took advantage of the mismatch and selflessly shared the ball to find the best opportunity, and maintained their lead with multiple points.

The Rockets' defensive end resolutely double-teamed Booker and never allowed the Suns' ace to set the pace. This is the key to them holding onto the Suns.

The Rockets use Amen and Okogie to take turns to attack Booker on one-on-one defense. Once Booker holds the ball against Holiday/Sheppard/Shen Jing, the Rockets decisively attack from a pinch - not letting Booker hit the weak point. The team battle can be lost, but cannot be forced to pinch.

Booker was trapped in a double attack, and the ball could only be handed over to Dillon and Gillespie. The Rockets use man-to-man defense against Dillon and Gillespie. They are not afraid of a one-on-one duel between the two brothers, as long as Booker doesn't swing.

Amen's impact advantage drives the rhythm, and the Suns have no defensive cards to limit this one-on-one. Amen played extremely smartly, combining rushing to the basket with mid-range singles and throws. His top athletic ability broke the sun's squatting and shrinking.

Shenjing's singles of Richards and Iguodaro can steadily attract double teams, and they can catch the ball with their backs in the elbow area and other double teams. Holiday and Smith hit open three-pointers in a row, perfectly combining inside and outside, and shot the Suns in a wave.

Amen is undoubtedly the key player in this campaign. With 28 points and 8 assists, he showed his absolute talent. This battle also proved that Amen is not suitable to play point guard. He is very comfortable returning to his familiar forward position. Let Amen serve as a pie-eating end point or attack the basket in a space lineup to maximize his advantages..

The third-year Amen has averaged only 21.9% three-point shooting per game so far this season. The Rockets have a monster of offensive and defensive talents. If he develops stable mid-to-long-range shooting, he can become a top star.

Durant is absent, and the Rockets win with depth. Shen Jing, Neptune, and Capela are three big players on the inside. The top defensive players are Amen and Okogie. The shooters are Smith, Holiday, and Sheppard. Even without the superstar Durant, the offensive and defensive system can still operate as usual.

This battle proved the foundation and temperament of the young Rockets. The mature system + the hard solution to superstar Durant, this is the Rockets' championship layout.