The Lager Line

In Friday night's episode, Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty (ClutchFans) go live with full postgame reaction after Houston's 140-116 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. Kevin Durant (30 points, +37) and Alperen Sengun (25 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists, four made 3-pointers) were among the clear standouts.The Rockets (8-3) have now won eight of their last nine games, overall.This episode can be viewed in video form here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKd1RulbrM0

Featuring hosts Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves, our latest full show breaks down the highs and lows of Houston's 6-3 start to its 2025-26 regular season. Tuesday officially marks three weeks since the NBA's Oct. 21 opener, and the Rockets — who have won six of their last seven games, overall — are now more than 10% of their way through the season.The discussion includes grades for all nine rotation players and Rockets head coach Ime Udoka, along with insight on a brilliant start by Alperen Sengun and inconsistency from Amen Thompson.

In Houston's most impressive win of the 2025-26 season to date, Kevin Durant (31 points, 7 assists) and Alperen Sengun (23 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists) were incredible down the stretch as the Rockets stormed back from a 14-point deficit on the road. Houston is now 6-3 on the season, while Milwaukee is 6-4.In Sunday's postgame show, Ben DuBose, Paulo Alves, and Dave Hardisty break down all the highlights versus Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks, including the huge bench spark provided by Reed Sheppard (16 points, 4 steals) and whether he could soon push for a starting role.This episode can be viewed in video form here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMao3ZdviME

The five-game winning streak for the Rockets (5-3) is now history after Friday's 121-110 loss to the Spurs (6-2). The in-state rivalry game served as the opener of Emirates NBA Cup 2025 play for both teams.Featuring Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, Friday's ClutchFans Live postgame show breaks down all the key takeaways, including how San Antonio crushed Houston off of turnovers (33 points off 23 giveaways) and subpar defensive rebounding (15 offensive boards for the home team).The show also highlights a relatively encouraging night for Reed Sheppard (16 points, 6 assists, 60% FG), albeit with some defensive miscues late in the game.

The Rockets (5-2) have now won five straight games, and Amen Thompson (28 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals) was the big story in their latest win at Memphis. Featuring Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, Wednesday's ClutchFans Live postgame show breaks down what we learned after a dominant showing against the Grizzlies.This episode can be viewed in video form here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrWXL_SinRk

In an in-state rivalry matchup, the Rockets shot the ball poorly at home amid a rare off night for Kevin Durant. Yet, thanks to huge games by Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson, Houston survived it versus the short-handed Dallas Mavericks (2-5).For Monday's ClutchFans Live postgame show, Dave Hardisty and Ben DuBose recap what we learned at Toyota Center, as well as many of the key takeaways moving forward. The Rockets (4-2) have now won four straight games, overall.The episode can be viewed in video form here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmrO20T6uBM 

Saturday's ClutchFans Live postgame show breaks down Houston's dominant 128-101 victory in Boston. The Rockets (3-2) have now won three straight games, overall, all by a margin of at least 18 points.

With Wednesday's 139-121 victory at Toronto, the Rockets (2-2) secured their first winning streak of the 2025-26 campaign and are now NBA's most efficient offense of the young season.Featuring Ben DuBose, Paulo Alves, and Dave Hardisty, the “ClutchFans Live” show recaps all the key storylines. Topics include big scoring nights from Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr.; a dominant rebounding performance, led by interior strength from Steven Adams and Alperen Sengun; and potential concerns on defense (where the Rockets currently rank in the bottom half of the league).This episode can be viewed in video form here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2C4F5xTVeKc

The Rockets (1-2) secured their first win of the 2025-26 season with a home blowout of the Brooklyn Nets. With Dave Hardisty and Ben DuBose as hosts, Monday's ClutchFans Live postgame show explores all the key storylines.Topics include Tari Eason's career shooting night; promising signs from Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard at point guard; and Ime Udoka's decision to start Josh Okogie in place of Steven Adams.The episode can be viewed in video form here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iK6DcRVY8zE

In a roundtable conversation, Dave Hardisty and Ben DuBose sit down with Gretchen Sheirr, president of business operations with the Rockets, to discuss the opening of the 2025–26 NBA season.As part of the interview, Sheirr shares insights on the state of the franchise; what fans can expect from the Toyota Center experience, and the new promotions and initiatives designed to bring fans closer to the team.Discussion topics include the Rockets' outlook for the new season; the impact of Kevin Durant on business; ongoing upgrades at Toyota Center; and the latest updates on fan promotions, engagement initiatives, and the overall business of basketball in Houston.This episode can also be viewed in video form here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95dVJwU3kB4

All-Star center Alperen Sengun was fantastic with a game-high 39 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists, but it wasn't quite enough in Houston's heartbreaking 125-124 road loss to the defending NBA champion Thunder. As a fitting opener to the 2025-26 regular season, Tuesday's matchup between Western Conference heavyweights wasn't decided until the final seconds of a second overtime in Oklahoma City.Tuesday's ClutchFans Live postgame show, featuring Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, breaks down all the good and bad — including the fantastic showing by Sengun and a worrisome 21 turnovers as a team. Late miscues by Kevin Durant were also a recurring theme.

Monday's ClutchFans live stream features reaction from Dave Hardisty and Ben DuBose to the relatively surprising news of the Rockets and Tari Eason not being able to agree on a contract extension prior to the rookie-scale deadline. Where does Houston go from here? Let's discuss.This episode is available in video form here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMwKKKv9mvk

With analysis from Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves, Sunday's show reacts to the news of Kevin Durant extending his Houston contract for two additional years (and $90 million), as well as insight on whether Tari Eason is the next Rockets player in line for an extension.The episode also looks ahead to Tuesday's regular-season opener at Oklahoma City and breaks down whether Reed Sheppard or Steven Adams is most likely to be the fifth starter versus the Thunder.

The Rockets finished out a perfect preseason (4-0) with Thursday's 133-115 victory at Atlanta, in which second-year guard Reed Sheppard (29 points, 6 assists, 6 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 blocks) stuffed the stat sheet. Our Houston-based postgame show, featuring Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, offers immediate reaction — along with insight on the upcoming contract-extension deadline for Tari Eason.The episode can be viewed in video form here, via the ClutchFans YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5H7YddfNPo

Tuesday's “ClutchFans Live” postgame show features reaction from Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty to Houston's 130-128 exhibition victory over New Orleans. The Rockets are now 3-0 in preseason play.Topics include a big night for Jabari Smith Jr.; the implications of starting a “double big” lineup with Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams; and whether defensive concerns are warranted.The episode can be viewed in video form here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ng5u1_5sSYM

Hosted by Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves, Friday's episode features reaction to Houston's 2-0 start to preseason play. Topics include strong showings from the likes of Alperen Sengun, Kevin Durant, Amen Thompson, and Jabari Smith Jr., as well as early indications that the Rockets' identity this season might be more driven by their offense.With a focus on player evaluations, the show concludes with a look at Ime Udoka's end-of-the-rotation options and how much players such as Clint Capela and JD Davison might play off the bench.

As part of a “ClutchFans Live” postgame show, Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty recap Houston's 140-127 victory over Utah on Wednesday night. The Rockets are now 2-0 in preseason play.Topics include an electric Rockets debut for Kevin Durant, who had 20 points (70% FG) on elite efficiency in only 23 minutes. The discussion also hits on Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., Amen Thompson, and Reed Sheppard, who all showed promising signs — perhaps due in large part to the attention drawn by KD.Defensively, however, the Rockets gave up 20 made 3-pointers on nearly 45% shooting. Could Houston's identity be shifting to something more offense focused?Wednesday's show breaks it all down. The episode can be viewed in video form on YouTube.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_qGdlMnOZs

In a “ClutchFans Live” postgame show, Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty recap Houston's victory over Atlanta to open the 2025-26 preseason. Topics include strong performances by Alperen Sengun and JD Davison, as well as a somewhat underwhelming showing by Reed Sheppard as the starting point guard. The episode can be viewed in video form on YouTube.www.youtube.com/watch?v=cb8ImorC0To

Monday's emergency podcast features a roundtable forum of Ben DuBose, Paulo Alves, and Dave Hardisty (@ClutchFans) reacting to Fred VanVleet's potentially season ending ACL tear. Topics include the Rockets' internal and external options to fill his role at point guard, as well as why the shocking news isn't necessarily the end of Houston's 2026 championship hopes.

Per head coach Ime Udoka, Houston will have an open competition at training camp for its fifth and final spot in the starting lineup. Friday's show features reaction from our Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves to the news, including a look at the pros and cons of Jabari Smith Jr., Dorian Finney-Smith, Steven Adams, and Tari Eason in that role.The episode also explores potential strategies to optimize each unit of the playing rotation, along with perspective on Alperen Sengun's elite EuroBasket play for Turkey and its potential implications for the 2025-26 Rockets.

Wednesday'sepisode breaks down the ongoing contract extension negotiations between the Rockets and fourth-year forward Tari Eason, including new reasons for optimism and projections on what a deal might look like. The deadline for rookie-scale extensions comes prior to the NBA's October 21 regular-season opener, so negotiations between Eason and Houston executives will be active over the coming days and weeks.

Friday's show with Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves features reaction to Houston's newly released schedule for the 2025-26 NBA season, as well as recent rumors regarding Kevin Durant's next contract and why it might not be finalized this offseason.

With the NBA's 2025 summer league in the books and the Rockets giving what will likely be their final standard contract to defensive wing Josh Okogie, Houston appears set to enter the 2025-26 season with Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, and Reed Sheppard as its primary ball-handlers and play initiators among rotation players.After a brief but underwhelming stint in Las Vegas, Tuesday's show explores whether Sheppard is up for the point-guard task, as well as whether Thompson is ready to take on the type of on-ball responsibility that Jalen Green often did last season. The episode also breaks down how recent signings such as Okogie, JD Davison, and Isaiah Crawford could potentially fit into the equation as training camp nears.

Friday's episode features reaction to the Rockets trading Cam Whitmore to Washington and a preview of Houston's upcoming summer-league games in Las Vegas (where second-year guard Reed Sheppard will be a clear focal point).The show also recaps recent interview comments by general manager Rafael Stone and shows why he's probably correct in his belief that the remainder of the 2025 offseason will be quiet.

With marquee external additions such as Kevin Durant, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Clint Capela, along with efficient contract extensions for key personnel such as Jabari Smith Jr., Fred VanVleet, and Ime Udoka, the Houston Rockets have turned heads throughout the NBA with their 2025 offseason. According to oddsmakers, they're now among the leading championship contenders for the 2026 NBA Finals.In Wednesday's episode (sponsored by Karbach Brewing), our Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves react to the latest news from free agency's opening days. Topics include why the Finney-Smith signing could make the Durant trade look even better; the implications of Capela's surprising deal on future luxury tax considerations; and why leaders such as Rafael Stone and Patrick Fertitta deserve every bit of the praise they're receiving around the league.

In a phone segment on Tuesday's The Sean Salisbury Show (SportsTalk 790), our Ben DuBose offers insight on Houston's rapid free agency agreements with Dorian Finney-Smith and Clint Capela.Other topics include what weaknesses the Rockets still have, if any; whether general manager Rafael Stone might pursue another All-Star acquisition to pair with Kevin Durant; and perspective on why Cam Whitmore appears to be a trade candidate.

As free agency negotiations officially begin around the NBA, the Rockets are continuing a busy offseason. With Kevin Durant already in the fold, Houston has recently agreed to new contracts with Jabari Smith Jr. and Fred VanVleet, and there are rumors that Lakers forward Dorian Finney-Smith could be an attainable target during the opening days of 2025 free agency.Sponsored by Karbach Brewing, Monday's episode explores all the various implications. Discussion topics include include how Smith and VanVleet's relatively inexpensive deals could the Rockets help fill out future rosters, as well as why Finney-Smith is a worthwhile target to potentially backfill the role of Dillon Brooks (traded to Phoenix in the Durant deal).

Wednesday's show features immediate reaction to Fred VanVleet's cheaper-than-expected contract to re-sign for two years and $50 million (player option on the second season). Topics include what VanVleet's new deal could mean in terms of increased spending power for the 2025 offseason, as well as more uncertainty regarding the future role of Cam Whitmore in Houston.

Featuring hosts Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves, Sunday's show features immediate reaction to the blockbuster NBA trade sending All-Star forward Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns to the Rockets!Topics include why the outgoing compensation (Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and the No. 10 overall draft pick in 2025) is reasonable for Houston; what Durant choosing the Rockets says about the franchise; and how the remainder of the offseason could go as Houston gears up for a 2025-26 season with championship aspirations.

The Rockets agreed Saturday to extend the contract of veteran center Steven Adams for three years and $39 million. Our rapid reaction podcast explores motivations for the deal and its implications, both for next season's rotation and the potential of larger deals this offseason.

With trade talks surrounding the Phoenix Suns and All-Star forward Kevin Durant potentially entering the closing stage, it appears Houston remains among the top suitors. Saturday's podcast explores the landscape and the price points at which it makes sense for the Rockets to get a deal done (or walk away).

When the 2025 NBA Finals conclude in a few days, teams across the league will be able to exclusively negotiate with their own pending free agents. With the Rockets, that includes names such as Fred VanVleet, Steven Adams, Jeff Green, Aaron Holiday, and Jae'Sean Tate.So, with Houston's payroll on the rise, what internal deals are likely to make basketball and business sense? Tuesday's podcast explores the parameters, including why new three-year contracts for VanVleet (around $90 to $100 million, in total) and Adams ($40 to $45 million, in total) could be the sweet spot for both the player and team.

Wednesday's episode features reaction and insight from our Ben DuBose to a handful of recent NBA rumors connected to the Rockets. Those include the New York Knicks' reported interest in Ime Udoka as head coach; a potential Kevin Durant trade with the Phoenix Suns perhaps getting closer; and free agent Brook Lopez becoming a potential backup plan for Houston, should Steven Adams choose to sign elsewhere.

The Rockets remain a rumored trade suitor for Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, but there hasn't been much new intel since the NBA's May 12 draft lottery. With that in mind, Monday's show explores what Houston's criteria for any external deal is likely to be in the weeks leading up to the June 25 draft and the June 30 opening of free agency.

The 2025 NBA draft lottery was an all-time shocker, and not in a good way for the Rockets. Despite entering with very low odds of moving up, divisional rivals Dallas and San Antonio are now slotted to pick at No. 1 and No. 2, where Duke's Cooper Flagg and Rutgers' Dylan Harper are considered the consensus top prospects. Houston will pick at No. 10 in the first round.In Tuesday's show, our Ben DuBose reacts to all the immediate implications and storylines. Topics include why the Mavs or Spurs making an imminent trade push for Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo is unlikely, but the longer-term concerns might push the Rockets to be a bit more aggressive in the short-term, themselves.

Hosted by Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves, Thursday's episode reviews Houston's 2025 playoff run for each of its eight rotation players and head coach Ime Udoka.Using a “stock up, stock down, and neutral” grading system, the show reviews the good (Amen Thompson, Steven Adams, and Fred VanVleet) for the Rockets; the bad (Jalen Green); and everything in between during a seven-game series loss to Golden State.

After fighting back from a 3-1 deficit to tie their first-round series against the Warriors, the Rockets' 2025 playoff run is over after a home loss in Game 7. In the aftermath of a dreadful showing on offense (74 points in the first 45+ minutes), Monday's show features reaction by our Ben DuBose to what went wrong against Golden State. Topics include the reasons for inefficient showings by Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun; the spacing limitations of “double big” lineups (Steven Adams and Sengun) when used with Amen Thompson; and a few positives to take out of the near-comeback, starting with Thompson and Fred VanVleet.

After once trailing the Warriors, 3-1, in their first-round playoff series, the Rockets have defied the odds to force a Game 7 in Houston! Saturday's mini-episode features a compilation of radio calls (via Matt Thomas, Rockets Radio Network) from Friday's thrilling Game 6 victory at Golden State, along with an exclusive postgame interview (12:00) with veteran center Steven Adams.

After falling behind, 3-1, in their first-round playoff series, the Rockets survived their first elimination game versus the Warriors with a home blowout in Game 5. Can they do the same in Friday's Game 6 at Golden State and force a decisive Game 7 back in Houston?With a pivotal weekend ahead, Thursday's podcast explores what we've learned in recent games while sharing some keys to success in Game 6 and hopefully Game 7. Discussion points include recent improvements from Amen Thompson; the roles of Jalen Green, Fred VanVleet, and Steven Adams as key variables; and the importance of Thompson's defense versus Steph Curry.

After splitting the opening two games in Houston, the first-round playoff series between the Rockets and Warriors now shifts to Golden State for the next two games.Friday's episode explores what we learned from the first two contests, including encouraging signs from Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green; Houston's relatively strong defensive effort against Steph Curry; and the role of Jimmy Butler's uncertain health in upcoming games.

Is the fifth time the charm? With a first-round series against their nemesis coming up, our Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves explain why 2025 should finally be the time for the Rockets to beat the Warriors in the playoffs.Discussion topics on our series preview show include key storylines to watch for; predictions for what is likely to happen; and the role of players such as Alperen Sengun, Tari Eason, and Fred VanVleet as potentially crucial variables for the Rockets.

The NBA's 2024-25 postseason begins with Tuesday night's play-in tournament games — and in the Western Conference, the Golden State/Memphis winner will earn the No. 7 playoff seed and a date with the No. 2 Rockets in a first-round series. With that in mind, our latest show explores key variables and storylines for the Rockets (52-30) entering the 2025 playoffs.Discussion topics s include whether the Warriors or Grizzlies would be a better matchup; arguments for Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., Jalen Green, and Ime Udoka as playoff X-factors; perpsective on what we saw in the closing games of the regular season; and the implications of Phoenix (36-46) missing the playoffs and sending a 2025 draft lottery pick to Houston.