Houston Rockets SURVIVE Ugly Battle Against Mavericks | Kevin Durant & Alperen Sengun DELIVER Late

Houston Rockets survive their ugliest performance of the season, grinding out a 110-102 victory over the Dallas Mavericks despite shooting just 27.6% from three-point range. Can a team's floor still produce wins when everything goes wrong? Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) breaks down how the Rockets' core competitive advantages—rebounding dominance, free throw shooting, and interior size—carried them through a game they arguably deserved to lose. The analysis covers Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun's clutch fourth-quarter heroics, Ime Udoka's game-changing third-quarter adjustment with Aaron Holiday, and Amen Thompson's elite cutting ability that has him ranked third in the NBA. Key concerns emerge around the team's zone defense vulnerability and Reed Sheppard's growing pains, while Steven Adams and Clint Capela's physical presence continues punishing opposing centers.