Ime Udoka Explains Game Plan vs. Spurs Rookie Wembanyama

"Our attention to (Wembanyama), making the other guys have to prove it to beat us, which some of them did for a minute," Rockets coach Ime Udoka said postgame. "(Spurs power forward Jeremy) Sochan and (point guard Tre) Jones hit some shots that kind of kept them in it. But the main thing was taking out those two, and I think we did a good job again."

Wembanyama has struggled all season against the Rockets. In four meetings against Houston, Wembanyama has averaged just 14.8 points per game, about six points shy of his season average. Only the New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Clippers have held him to lower averages, but those teams have played against Wembanyama fewer times than the Rockets.

When the Rockets lost to the Spurs back in October, Wembanyama scored 21 points. But in the three meetings that followed, Wembanyama was held to 15 points and the Rockets won each game.

The Rockets' blueprint against the Spurs should be matched around the league ... contain Wembanyama and force the others to beat you.

The Rockets will return to the court on Thursday at home after a perfect road trip to take on the Washington Wizards. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT.