The Rockets fight the Eagles again! There is not much suspense about the starting lineup: 3 towers with two forwards, the 21-year-old shooter returns to the 2nd team

On October 16th, tomorrow morning at 7:30, the Rockets will have their last preseason game. They will go to Atlanta to challenge the Hawks. In fact, the Rockets had a duel with the Hawks not long ago. That game was the Rockets' first preseason game. They easily defeated the Hawks at home. Although Durant did not play at the time, the Rockets asked Ethan to replace Durant as the starting small forward.

In that game, Shen Jing scored 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists, and JD Davison became the dark horse of the Rockets' second lineup. He made 6 of 9 shots in 22 minutes and 5 of 7 3-pointers. He scored the team's second-highest 17 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and only 1 turnover. That game completely put Davison into the Rockets' main rotation.

If nothing else happens, the 23-year-old edge point guard with a two-way contract has every chance to stay on the team and become the Rockets' main rotation in the regular season. Although Davidson is not well-known, he once won the NBA championship with the Celtics. Udoka also coached Davison for a period of time when he was on the Celtics, so he was very familiar with the 23-year-old point guard. In Uduka's eyes, Davidson can serve as a shooting guard, point guard and small forward. In the previous game when the Rockets defeated the Pelicans, Davidson played the role of small forward for a long time in the 4th quarter.

Next, the Rockets will play the Hawks again. The overall strength of the Rockets in this game will definitely be improved than before, because Durant is back. Although Uduka said after defeating the Pelicans that Shen Jing and Durant may be given a rest in the next game, it is not certain now.

Seeing that the new regular season is coming, the Rockets are unlikely to rest two core players in the last key preseason game. Therefore, under normal circumstances, the Rockets' starting lineup should not be much suspense, and it should be no different from the previous game: the two insiders are Shenjing Adams, the forward is Smith Jr., and the back line is Amen Thompson paired with Durant. In other words, the three towers of Smith, Adams and Shen Jing are paired with two forwards, Amen Thompson and Durant. In name, Durant and Amen serve as starting guards, but in fact, their most suitable position is forward.

The 21-year-old Rockets shooter Shepard performed well in the previous game. He made 3 of 6 three-pointers and scored 13 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists. However, Shepard's defensive ability is not good after all, and he is not suitable to be the Rockets' starter. The big lineup is more suitable for Uduka to reuse, so if Shen Jing and Durant do not take a rest in the next game, the Rockets' starting lineup should be no different from the previous game; of course, if Shen Jing and Durant take a rest, then Adams should still become the starter, and Ethan or Shepard will also have the opportunity to return to the starting lineup.

In short, in the last game against the Hawks, the Rockets need to run in faster, so it is very necessary for Durant and Shen Jing to play. The two of them don't necessarily have to play for 30 minutes. As long as they can play for more than ten minutes to warm up and let other players become familiar with the Rockets' new tactical system and starting configuration, that is enough. A week later, the Rockets will go to challenge the Thunder away from home. This is also the Rockets' first game of the regular season.