Together they scored 37+13, the Rockets deployed two sixth men, Sheppard found the right position, and the main force at the 4th position re-competed.

After the opening two consecutive losses, the Rockets made changes. Udoka no longer used the five major lineups, and Okogie entered the starting lineup in an effort to distance themselves and reduce the defensive intensity encountered by Durant. A big trade was made in the offseason, and without VanVleet, the Rockets need to find the right way to play. Against the Nets in this game, if the Rockets lose again, it may be difficult for them to compete for the championship this year. Without a qualified number one position, Uduka needs to try more lineups and rotations to make up for shortcomings.

After not playing in the top five, the Rockets have enough space in the penalty area. Amen Thompson and Shen Jing hit the basket to score points. Okogie lived up to expectations and made three-pointers. The Rockets do not have high requirements for him. Being a 3D player is success. Facing his former team, Durant was also very active. The Rockets' lineup changes were very successful. The main lineup solved the shooting problem. The second lineup continued to have twin towers. Shepard steadily hit three-pointers on the counterattack, helping the team further open up space.

The Rockets scored 42 points in the first quarter, and their offense was at the level of last season. The main lineup was centered on Durant, and the rotation returned to its previous rhythm. Ethan became the beneficiary. He ran and played. Ethan's two three-pointers became the turning point of the game. He was criticized for his sluggish state in the first two games, and he even thought that the Rockets made a very wise choice by not renewing his contract. He used his strength to prove his ability in this game. He is full of energy in the second team, has a hot three-point touch from the outside, and can assist his teammates to score.

Ethan is indispensable to the Rockets. Although there are many players available on the front line, Jabari Smith does not have his body and impact, and Finney Smith lacks Ethan's vitality. If he can continue to perform like this, he is expected to restart his contract renewal negotiations. Another substitute, Shepard, did not seize the opportunity. In addition to the three-pointer in his first shot, there was a hit+passing error+exposure of defensive shortcomings, and the Rockets lost points immediately.

The regular lineup played well, but Uduka was obsessed with the five major lineups and was chased for 10 points in a row. There were only three-pointers from Durant and Smith on the field, and the offense was very poor. In the second half of the second quarter, the Rockets switched back to their normal lineup and stabilized the point difference. Ethan is the core of the Rockets' offense, making up for the team's overall three-point inaccuracy problem. He scored 20 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists in the half. His efficiency was even higher than Durant. He finished the game with 22 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. His touch dropped a bit in the second half, but his defense was still very stable.

The Rockets are equipped with two super sixth men. Shepard finally found his position. He made 3 of 7 three-pointers in this game and scored 15 points and 8 assists. He became more confident with more shots and scored two chasing three-pointers. Ethan and Smith at the fourth position have the ability to compete for the main force again. The two scored 37+13 together. Sheppard has found his niche, coming off the bench as a scorer, shooting open three-pointers, and passing the ball is just a bonus. With a 137-109 victory over the Nets, the Rockets not only won their first victory, but also found a way to solve the problem, reducing the five major lineups and making the offense smoother.