When the Houston Rockets won seven straight games from Nov. 24 to Dec. 8, they had the NBA’s No. 16 overall defensive rating over that period. When paired with an elite offense, it was typically enough to win.
Since then, the Rockets (10-27) have slipped to dead last (No. 30) in defensive rating, and they have lost 11 of 13 games and seven straight overall. The frustration appeared to boil over during Saturday’s 124-111 home loss (box score) to Denver, which included a disciplinary measure for big man Christian Wood and starting point guard Kevin Porter Jr. leaving early with yet another left thigh injury.
Houston gave up 77 points in the first half and 47 in the second quarter, which allowed an early 11-point lead to suddenly become a 24-point deficit prior to halftime. That 35-point swing in barely more than a quarter understandably drew attention at Toyota Center, and the Rockets were late in their arrival back to the court before the third quarter.
“We were angry at halftime that we had just given up 47 points,” head coach Stephen Silas said in the postgame press conference on Saturday night. “We watched the film. We had a spirited debate. I have certain demands of this group as far as playing hard. “Making mistakes is different than giving the effort, and I wasn’t satisfied with the effort.”
“What goes on in the locker room with the team is between the team,” added second-year forward Jae’Sean Tate, who is known as one of Houston’s best defensive players and a clear team leader. “We’re a family, and sometimes family business doesn’t need to be put out there.”
