Houston Rockets Coach Ime Udoka Commends Team For Freeing Up Fred VanVleet In Victory Over Miami Heat

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Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka praised his team for their strategic play that allowed Fred VanVleet to excel, while also restricting Andrew Wiggins during their win against the Miami Heat. The Rockets secured a 102-98 victory on Friday, marking their ninth consecutive win and extending Miami's losing streak to ten games. VanVleet was instrumental, scoring 37 points with an impressive shooting performance.

Udoka expressed satisfaction with how his players created opportunities for VanVleet. "Our guys did great jobs freeing Fred up," he mentioned in a press conference. The team managed to create confusion and space, enabling VanVleet to either take shots or drive forward effectively.

Andrew Wiggins contributed significantly to Miami's efforts with 30 points. However, only eight of those came after halftime as the Rockets improved their defense. Udoka noted that Wiggins seemed too comfortable initially and stressed the need for increased physicality.

"I felt he was too comfortable," Udoka remarked. He highlighted that Wiggins had scored 22 points by halftime and was influencing the game significantly. The Rockets responded by tightening their defense in the second half, limiting Wiggins' impact.

VanVleet's leadership was crucial as he orchestrated plays effectively. "Being the point guard, he has it in his hands," Udoka explained. The team set plays to open up opportunities for him, but VanVleet also made smart decisions on whether to score or assist.

The Rockets' cohesive effort not only facilitated VanVleet's standout performance but also demonstrated their ability to adapt defensively against key opponents like Wiggins. This strategic approach played a vital role in securing their latest victory.