Rockets offense sizzling without VanVleet; Sixers ride Maxey’s heavy workload; Claxton anchors Nets defense
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HOUSTON ROCKETS
The Rockets own the NBA’s best offensive rating at 123.4 despite the continued absence of guard Fred VanVleet. Forward Kevin Durant has delivered as advertised, while center Alperen Şengün keeps expanding his game, averaging 7.4 assists as a de facto point center and helping Houston shoot just under 49 percent.
Durant told The Athletic he has “never played with a big who can dominate in the post the way Şengün does,” while the third-year center said he is benefitting from the floor spacing created by the defensive attention Durant draws. Head coach Ime Udoka welcomes double-teams on Durant, noting, “Alpi in the pocket is a great decision-maker. It opens up shots for everyone else. The chemistry between those guys is really growing.”
Houston visits the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday in its only trip to Cleveland this season.
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
With Paul George and Joel Embiid still rehabbing, the 76ers are leaning heavily on guard Tyrese Maxey and rookie VJ Edgecombe. Maxey is logging an NBA-high 40.4 minutes per game, while Edgecombe averages 37.3.
Head coach Nick Nurse said he discussed the workload with both players and was told to “keep going.” Nurse added, “Whenever these guys come back, we’ll welcome them with open arms. Until then, let’s stay focused on doing what needs to be done.”
BROOKLYN NETS
Center Nic Claxton blocked four shots in Sunday’s win over Washington, giving him at least one block in nine straight contests after opening the season without a block in his first four games. “The timing is coming back,” Claxton said. “I’ve been feeling good on the defensive side of the ball.” Now in the second year of a four-year, $97 million contract, Claxton is again anchoring Brooklyn’s interior defense.
Rookie guard Ben Saraf sprained his left ankle while playing for the G League’s Long Island Nets and will be reevaluated in 10 days, according to the New York Daily News. Saraf began the season as Brooklyn’s starting point guard but shot just 21.7 percent over his first five NBA games before being assigned to the G League.
Even with only two wins, Brooklyn is not alone near the bottom of the standings; three teams currently have worse records, an important detail for a franchise monitoring a draft class led by prospects Cameron Boozer, Darryn Peterson and AJ Dybantsa.
Source: Hoops Wire
