LeBron James vs. Dillon Brooks? Rockets Deliver 'Lock-Up' Promise to Los Angeles Lakers: Houston Notebook
HOUSTON — In their first encounter since the 2023 playoffs, Dillon Brooks had one objective when it came to LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers Wednesday night — "lock him up." And during the Houston Rockets' 128-94 victory over the Lakers, Brooks delivered on his promise.
"Ready to lock him up," Brooks said. "He's shooting the ball well. He's been playing well. I'm just there to make him tired, make him get into that fourth quarter early."
James left the Toyota Center scoring a season-low 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the field. But the future Hall of Famer did not experience much success in his one-on-one matchups against Brooks, who limited James to six points on 2-of-6 shooting and three turnovers.
The mentality of never backing down from James is the rationale that led to coach Ime Udoka's desire to sign Brooks following his exile from the Memphis Grizzlies. Udoka revealed that when the two respective parties talked at the start of free agency, the Rockets welcomed Brooks' defensive edge, but basketball had to remain the primary focus.
"I don't mind the comments he makes; he should feel that way every night about guarding certain guys," Udoka said. "But it's about not getting caught up in the antics or reputation. There is a fine line fine between 'they're playing' vs. 'letting it go overboard.'"
Lakers forward LeBron James (23) defends the ball from Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) in the first quarter at Toyota Center.
Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Brooks this offseason signed a four-year, $80 million deal to join the Rockets. And by playing under Udoka, he understands Brooks' on-court intensity.
Toughness, respectability, accountability and defense are the adjectives Udoka used in the past to describe his coaching philosophies. And his coaching style mirrors his playing days as a tough-minded journeyman in the NBA.
Udoka played eight seasons in the league from 2003-2011. And each team he played with tried at some level to capture the defensive mindset now offered by Brooks.
In part as a result of Brooks' work, the Rockets obliterated the Lakers for their fourth straight win. With Brooks at the helm as the team's defensive anchor, the Lakers departed Houston with a profound respect for the new-look Rockets.
"They're a young athletic team," coach Darvin Ham said. "The veterans they added have been champions, on deep playoff runs, I just think their collective discipline that Ime has instilled, he's doing a helluva job thus far. ...
"They're talking these guys through on how to be smart, you know again, they make up a lot of ground. They're a young, fast, athletic ballclub."
Defense leads to longest winning streak in two years:
By containing James, the Rockets won their fourth consecutive game after starting the season 0-3. The win put the Rockets over .500 with a 4-3 record, which marked the first time the franchise has held a winning record in 1,005 days.
Although the Rockets have thrived on offense, the play of their defense has stood out the most. With a defensive rating of 102.8, the Rockets have possessed the second-best defense in the league. And over the previous four games, Houston has held its opponents to an average of 99.8 points.
"Just us being connected," Jae'Sean Tate said. "I think we literally move as a unit out there and our communication is something that I haven't experienced in the last few years here, and it's fun. I think that's the biggest thing - that we are really having fun, and we are trusting each other to be in the right spots and cover up for each other."
Tari Eason makes his season debut:
After missing the first six games due to a stress reaction in his left leg, second-year forward Tari Eason made his season debut against the Lakers. He played 14 minutes off the bench and recorded nine points and nine rebounds in the win.
Eason originally sustained the injury during the Rockets' preseason opener against the Indiana Pacers on Oct. 10.
"He did good," Udoka said. "He does things that we've been missing, which is getting every ball he gets his hands on. A lot of balls that are a good tip, we don't always come up. He's getting 50-50 balls and offensive rebounds.
"The Hustle plays, the physicality. He was good and the little rusty at times and looked a little thirsty on offense trying to get it going, but that's expected. So happy with what he did and kept them in the range that we want to."
