Lakers-Rockets Showdown Reveals Houston’s Hidden Struggles—Can They Bounce Back?
Sheppard is an aggressive defensive playmaker who certainly doesn’t lack in effort, but his size and level of physicality aren’t enough to keep up with a very lengthy, tough Lakers group. It’s apparent Udoka is hesitant to play Sheppard alongside Alperen ĹžengĂĽn for coverage reasons, but if Sheppard’s jump shot isn’t falling, which could potentially offset issues at the other end, his minutes become challenging to overcome or maximize. (It doesn’t help matters that ĹžengĂĽn continues to shoot ineffectively — 27 shots for 33 points on Friday night — and is unable to take advantage of post-ups against smaller defenders and convert at the rim.) Whether Durant is able to go in Game 4 or not, Sheppard — and ĹžengĂĽn — must be sustainable offensive sources or the Rockets’ season is over.



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