Ime Udoka On The Rockets Receiving National Media Attention: 'Winning Puts Everybody On The Map'

Following Tuesday's 100-96 win over the Atlanta Hawks, the Houston Rockets sit 1.5 games ahead of the Memphis Grizzlies for the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. With big wins against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics, the Rockets have won 10 of their last 12 and are currently on a four-game winning streak. An impressive 32-14 season record has helped Houston receive increased national media attention, with some already priming the Rockets as legitimate postseason contenders. "Winning puts everybody on the map," head coach Ime Udoka said. As the All-Star break approaches, Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun have made strong cases for their All-Star reserves candidacy. "They're getting rewarded just by being in the conversation," Udoka said. "Jalen and Alpy have both shouldered the load at some point this season. Now, everybody else is kind of being incorporated and adding more to the picture, and I think that's where our depth comes in. We don't have to rely on one guy every night." The final 14 All-Star spots will be announced Thursday at 5:30 p.m. CT. The last matchup of the Rockets' four-game road trip comes against the Grizzlies, who trail right behind the Rockets in the standings. "They do some similar things to what we do. They're second in offensive rebounding behind us. They shift the pace and make transition baskets, and they cause a lot of turnovers," Udoka said. With a win, the Rockets will go 4-0 against Memphis this season.