The Houston Rockets' Bench Steps Up in a Big Way in Game 5 Win Throughout the 2025-26 season, the Houston Rockets have won games by playing tough defense, dominating the rebounding battle, and outplaying their opponents. Also, for most of the season, they have had to rely on their starters to make this happen. The injury to Fred VanVleet, which has kept him out all season, forced the Rockets to change not only their style of play but also their starting lineup. Having already traded away two starters for Kevin Durant, the Rockets were going to have to add someone from their bench to the starting lineup. That, of course, led to the need to add two new starters following VanVleet's loss. Of course, Jabari Smith had been a starter all the way up until January of last season, so he was familiar with the role. The Rockets also added Tari Eason to the starting lineup, which meant Reed Sheppard would be the Rockets' sixth man.…