With 10 regular-season games left, the Rockets (46-26) remain at No. 2 in the Western Conference standings, though their margin has narrowed after Sunday’s home loss to No. 3 Denver (45-28). 

Tuesday’s show (sponsored by Karbach Brewing) breaks down what to watch for down the home stretch of the 2024-25 season. Topics include strategies for Houston to get back to its elite defensive play from earlier in the season; questions surrounding the usage of Fred VanVleet and Tari Eason; and a scheduling breakdown of where the Rockets stand relative to other West contenders.t.

Despite trailing by 25 points in the second half, the winning streak is somehow at seven games and counting for the Rockets (44-25, No. 2 in West) after Monday’s bizarre victory over Philadelphia.

In Wednesday’s show, our Ben DuBose reacts to all the latest developments, including an increasingly important home-court advantage; clear signs of progress for Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr.; and why Alperen Sengun’s second-half benching versus the Sixers shouldn't be a major concern.

With Amen Thompson sidelined by injury, the Rockets (40-25) have begun experimenting with bigger lineups, and it seems to be working — as evidenced by Houston’s three-game winning streak.

With that in mind, Wednesday’s show explores the short- and long-term feasibility of the Alperen Sengun-Steven Adams “double big” lineup, along with insight on Jabari Smith Jr.’s recent surge and his viability as a 6-foot-11 small forward.

The episode concludes with a look at the Western Conference playoff race and whether the No. 5 Rockets can catch one of the three teams just ahead of them (Nuggets, Lakers, and Grizzlies) in the standings.

The Rockets (39-25, No. 5 in West) enter Monday coming off back-to-back wins but needing to navigate a new short-term reality without second-year star Amen Thompson, who is out for at least 10-to-14 days with a left ankle sprain.

With that in mind, our reaction show explores why the injury may have come at a fortunate time of Houston's schedule; what lineups Ime Udoka can rely on in Thompson’s absence; and why Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun could be the players with the most responsibility to step up.

With Fred VanVleet back healthy, Rockets coach Ime Udoka announced Friday that Houston (37-22) plans to start start Amen Thompson and Dillon Brooks at forward for the foreseeable future (ahead of Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason).

Our Ben DuBose explains the reasons behind those choices, including the importance of building chemistry and continuity among the starting five as the 2025 NBA playoffs approach.

After losing six straight games earlier this month, the Rockets (35-22, No. 4 in the West) entered this week with three wins in their last five games. Tuesday’s podcast explores areas of encouragement, starting with a healthier roster out of the All-Star break, along with a few concerning trends — such as defensive inconsistency and issues on the second game of back-to-backs. 

Other topics on this week’s show, again sponsored by Houston’s Karbach Brewing and hosted by Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves, include analysis of potential starting lineup changes for head coach Ime Udoka and the underwhelming rookie season of Reed Sheppard.

With widespread injuries up and down the roster, the Rockets aren't at their best in February 2025, as evidenced by six losses in their last seven games. They also went through a relatively quiet in-season trade deadline window, with general manager Rafael Stone only making a pair of moves to acquire future second-round NBA draft capital.

With that in mind, Tuesday's show explores why the time wasn't right for Houston (33-20) to make a big splash, along with insight on why better days could soon be ahead for the on-court product.

As Amen Thompson’s brilliant play continues, the Rockets (32-14) enter Thursday with four straight wins and an 11-3 record in January. That mark includes three flagship victories in the past week, and two on the road, over the Cleveland Cavaliers (38-9) and defending NBA champion Boston Celtics (33-15).

So, is Houston thinking title contention as soon as the 2025 playoffs? Thursday’s show explores reasons for optimism and caution, along with a preview of next week’s in-season trade deadline (Feb. 6) and what moves might make sense for both short- and longer-term considerations.

With the second half of the 2024-25 NBA season officially underway, this week’s episode reviews what we’ve learned about the Rockets (28-14), who remain in an impressive No. 2 standings spot in the Western Conference.

Topics include some regression in recent weeks from Alperen Sengun and Houston’s team defense; why the ascension of Jalen Green and Amen Thompson has largely offset that; and important lineup and rotation considerations moving forward involving players such as Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Steven Adams, Dillon Brooks, and more.

In Thursday’s interview segment with Ross Villarreal of SportsTalk 790, our Ben DuBose explains why he thinks Amen Thompson has likely locked up a long-term starting role with the Rockets (27-12). Other topics include encouraging signs from Jalen Green and Cam Whitmore during Houston’s current five-game winning streak, as well as why general manager Rafael Stone shouldn’t be under any pressure to make a move at the NBA’s Feb. 6 in-season trade deadline.