Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka pinpointed a lack of aggression and confidence in the fourth quarter as the key reason for Friday’s 111-105 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. “Take a 37-year-old out of the game for 2 minutes and you lose a 13-point lead… don’t play with any aggression, confidence, mentally weak and have a 15-point quarter, one for 17 from three,” Udoka said.
He emphasized the Rockets’ defensive lapses and turnovers as factors in Portland’s comeback. “On both ends… we got some open looks before I called the timeout quickly and then didn’t guard at all… fouled… they just drove us, got offensive rebounds, and then the looks we got, either turned over, played in the crowd or just missed wide open shots,” Udoka explained.
Udoka expressed frustration at relying heavily on Kevin Durant. “The fact that we have to rely on a 37-year-old for 40 plus minutes is a problem,” he said. Durant finished with 30 points and 12 rebounds, surpassing Wilt Chamberlain for seventh on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with 31,422 points.
The coach also addressed struggles from Jabari Smith Jr., noting a lack of aggressiveness and confidence. “Not being as aggressive or confident as you should… if you’re not making shots, you got to insert yourself in other ways… get out in transition, crash the glass, defend and create turnovers… you can’t always rely on jump shots,” Udoka said.
Regarding Deni Avdija, who helped Portland rally in the fourth, Udoka observed, “Started attacking off of misses, getting downhill, got some fouls there… they went away from the pick and roll and he isolated and attacked some guys he shouldn’t be able to attack that easily.” Avdija scored 20 points, including four consecutive free throws that gave Portland the lead they would not relinquish.
Udoka also confirmed Tari Eason’s absence late in the game was due to injury. “Rolled ankle. That’s all I heard. I didn’t see it,” he said.
The Rockets shot just 23% from three-point range in the fourth quarter, a factor Udoka cited when analyzing missed opportunities. “Majority wide open… others that are heavily contested or got blocked… you got a guy closing out on you full speed, you got to be able to pump, fake it, and make a play for somebody else,” he said.
Portland’s bench, led by Toumani Camara with 25 points, and Shaedon Sharpe’s 20 points, helped the Trail Blazers overcome the Rockets’ early 12-point lead. Houston falls to 22-13, while Portland improves to 19-20 and continues a five-game winning streak.
The Rockets will visit Sacramento on Sunday, and Portland hosts the New York Knicks in their next matchup.
