The Rockets changed their formation passively! The 10th man in the rotation came out, contributed 10+1 in 16 minutes, and became a perfect match for Shepard

The Rockets defeated the Trail Blazers in the previous game. In this game, the Rockets won easily and beautifully. However, there was a small regret, that is, their 24-year-old forward Ethan suffered a leg injury and directly withdrew from the game. As the core player of the Rockets' second team, Ethan only played 11 minutes in this game. He made 1 of 6 shots and only scored 3 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, and 1 foul.

Although Ethan's performance on the court was average this time, he was one of the Rockets' best shooters in previous games. His three-point shooting rate this season is over 50%. For the Rockets, Ethan is a player they must keep next summer, because Ethan is a defensive warrior, a rebounding expert, and one of the Rockets' best shooters. Although Ethan failed to renew his contract with the Rockets in advance this season, his statistics and abilities have improved, and he is also an indispensable soul of the second team.

However, without Ethan, the Rockets' second lineup can still play well, because they have Adams and Capela on the inside to protect the frame, and Sheppard, a young shooter on the outside, supports the scene. In this game, Sheppard scored 13 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals in 26 minutes. He did not make a single mistake in the entire game and made 3 of 9 three-pointers, continuing his hot touch.

In fact, in addition to Sheppard, Rockets coach Udoka saw that Ethan was injured and directly activated the 10th man in the rotation. He was the 29-year-old shooter Aaron Holiday. As the Rockets' third point guard, Holiday has difficulty entering the rotation this season, which is completely different from last season. Shepard performed poorly last season. In the middle of the season, the Rockets directly put Shepard on the bench and asked Aaron Holiday to replace him and become the first substitute for the Rockets' main point guard VanVleet. Last season, Sheppard shot less than 34% from three-point range, while Holiday shot as high as 40% from three-point range. He is the Rockets' most accurate outside shooter.

However, Sheppard has suddenly emerged this season, and Holiday has been directly squeezed out of playing time. Fortunately, in this game, the Rockets reactivated Holiday due to injury, giving the veteran a chance. Aaron Holiday was also unambiguous. In 13 minutes, he made 3 of 6 shots, 1 of 4 three-pointers, and 3 of 4 free throws. He scored 10 points, 1 assist, 1 steal, and made only 1 turnover. It can be said that he has become a perfect match for Shepard. The Rockets' second team also needs a player with shooting ability to help Shepard open up space and allow him to make breakthroughs.

Once Ethan is injured and absent, neither Jeff Green nor Tate of the Rockets can have such accurate three-point shooting ability. Holiday's appearance is just right. Holiday's three-point shooting rate has always been very high. After joining the Rockets, his three-point shooting rate has been above 38%. Although he has now fallen out of the regular rotation, Ethan was injured and missed, and Holiday got another chance to return to the rotation and became the 10th man outside the 9-man rotation. His playing order has surpassed Davidson, Tate and Jeff Green.

Ethan needs to recuperate for 4-6 weeks. I believe Aaron Holiday will replace him and become an important substitute in the Rockets' rotation.