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The Houston Rockets<\/a> didn\u2019t get the win in Friday\u2019s Emirates NBA Cup 2025 showdown<\/a> versus Denver, but they did overcome an early double digit deficit to make the game extremely competitive<\/a>.<\/p>\n The biggest reason was second-year guard Reed Sheppard. The 21-year-old Kentucky product poured in a career-high 27 points<\/a> on 9-for-13 shooting (69.2%), including 5-of-8 from 3-point range (62.5%).<\/p>\n \u201cReed Sheppard went off,\u201d Nuggets had coach David Adelman said postgame<\/a>. \u201cWe know how talented he is.\u201d<\/p>\n In comments to Rockets Wire, Adelman elaborated on how the addition of Sheppard \u2014 who, as a rookie, largely didn\u2019t feature in Houston\u2019s rotation last season \u2014 had changed this season\u2019s Rockets.<\/p>\n When asked what Sheppard brings to the table, Adelman said:<\/p>\n Just more scoring, and more pick-and-roll ball-handling. A complete threat (on) the scouting report. It just adds another layer. I think all teams would love to have a guy like that who, at any moment, can get hot and flip a game.<\/p>\n You have to guard him. He can get hot and hit five 3s in a quarter. That\u2019s what that kid can do.<\/p>\n He just adds something… last year, it was so defensive minded. They (the Rockets) grinded you out to win games. Adding (Kevin) Durant, who is historically incredible offensively, and then a kid like Sheppard \u2014 who can flip a game, offensively \u2014 it just adds another element to their team that they didn\u2019t have last year.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n To Adelman\u2019s point, this version of the Rockets \u2014 with Durant and Sheppard in important roles \u2014 currently ranks No. 1 in the NBA in offensive rating<\/a>. Last season, Houston was No. 12.<\/p>\n The Rockets (10-4) are currently a game behind Denver (12-4) for the No. 2 spot in the Western Conference standings<\/a>, so it should be a competitive rivalry all season long. Based on Sheppard\u2019s productivity in the first of three scheduled meetings, he appears to be a key variable that could give the Rockets a chance to compete versus a perennial NBA title contender.<\/p>\n \u201cWe didn\u2019t come out great and we had to fight from behind to get back,\u201d said Sheppard, who joined Houston as the No. 3 overall draft pick in the NBA\u2019s 2024 first round. \u201cIt\u2019s a tough loss. But we\u2019ll get a lot of good things from it.\u201d<\/p>\n Chief among those lessons is the potential of Sheppard, who led Houston in scoring while tallying as many points as Durant and Alperen Sengun, combined<\/a>. Combine that version of Sheppard with inevitable bounce-back performances from that All-Star duo, and the Rockets should be able to compete against anyone.<\/p>\n Next up for the Rockets is a challenging road game at Phoenix (10-6), which kicks off a four-game West road trip. For Durant, it\u2019s his first return visit to face the team that traded him to the Rockets a few months ago<\/a>.<\/p>\n Tipoff of Rockets-Suns is at 8:30 p.m. Central on Monday night, and the game will be televised to a national audience on Peacock.<\/p>\n