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Rockets coach Ime Udoka sees potential Steven Adams-Alperen Sengun lineups as situational
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- Rockets coach Ime Udoka sees potential Steven Adams-Alperen Sengun lineups as situational
In Saturday's near-comeback versus the Dallas Mavericks , the Houston Rockets got back into the game utilizing a two-center lineup featuring veteran Steven Adams and All-Star Alperen Sengun .
It doesn't sound like it will happen too often, though.
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While Adams is playing increasingly well in 2025 , head coach Ime Udoka said earlier this week that the two-center lineup is only a situational option. His analysis:
It's tough, based on matchups. Obviously, (Dallas) played with two bigs, so we were very comfortable doing it. It would require Alpi to guard a lot of small-ball fours and stretch fours and chase guys around the perimeter, which we don't always love.
It's depending on the matchup, more so than anything. Someone has to impose their will, if we go double big, and they'll try to counter with downsizing. It worked for us (against the Mavericks), even when Naji Marshall was in. We felt comfortable with Alpi on him, but that's more so determined on lineups and personnel out on the court.
Should the Rockets play a team like Dallas that wants to play Davis at power forward and a big man such as Daniel Gafford or Dereck Lively II at center, it's clear that the Sengun-Adams pairing is an option. In fact, Udoka liked it enough that he started the second half with that configuration.
But against most NBA opponents, the Rockets (33-20) want the additional defensive versatility of someone such as Jabari Smith Jr. , Amen Thompson , or Tari Eason playing at power forward alongside Sengun or Adams at center.
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This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Ime Udoka sees limitations in Steven Adams-Alperen Sengun lineups
