HOUSTON, TEXAS – MARCH 06: Cam Whitmore (7) of the Houston Rockets goes up for a dunk in the first … [+]
The Rockets were mired in the midst of their worst stretch of the season, losers of six straight, with injuries mounting, heading towards the All-Star break. This came immediately on the heels of easily their most impressive stretch of the rebuild, with back to back wins over Cleveland, a win over Boston on the road, followed up with a win at Memphis. But from February 1 onward, the Rockets lost to the Brooklyn Nets twice, the Knicks, the Wolves, and then Dallas, freefalling in the Western Conference standings from second all the way down to fifth.
Still playing without starting point guard Fred VanVleet, and starting power forward Jabari Smith Jr., and losing center Alperen Sengun in the first half, the Rockets pulled out the desperately needed victory over the hapless Toronto Raptors, 94-87. The win stops the bleeding, for now, but what the Rockets need to reclaim their place in the standings is health. Without Smith, their lack of size has been apparent (they have plummeted in the league-wide defensive rankings since his injury) and without VanVleet, their lack of direction. Second-year wing Amen Thompson has been filling in, but it is clear that he is not yet ready to take the reins from the veteran incumbent in the backcourt.
The Rockets now look ahead to the NBA All-Star break to lick their wounds. They host the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday and the new-look Golden State Warriors on Thursday, in yet another back to back, before getting a much needed breather until February 21. While head coach Ime Udoka said after Sunday’s win that he expects Sengun to be ready for the team’s game against the Suns, the Rockets can only hope VanVleet and Smith will be ready after the break.
New Look Wrinkle
Saturday’s loss at Dallas was significant not just because it was Houston’s fifth in a row, but for a wrinkle that could serve as a blueprint for the future. After getting crushed in the first half by the new-look Mavericks, and Anthony Davis, the Rockets clawed their way back into the game, and even took the lead, after Udoka started backup center Steven Adams at center alongside Sengun, sliding the latter over to the power forward. Houston’s rebounding woes immediately were solved and Adams’ physicality bothered Davis and the rest of the Mavs. As for Sengun, he went off, exploding in the third quarter, en route to a 30 point night. The smaller Mavericks appeared fearful to double the Rockets’ big man given Adams’ looming presence on the boards.
When asked about the alignment, Udoka stated that while it was a necessity on Saturday due to Davis’ dominance, it would be matchup-dependent moving forward given that his preference was to not have Sengun out on the perimeter guarding versatile power forwards. Adams is obviously not a long term option for the rebuilt Rockets, but could Saturday’s game offer a glimpse of another roster construction option for Rockets general manager Rafael Stone? If Stone acquires a true center more in line with the Rockets’ timeline, perhaps it could serve to make Sengun even more effective? With that said, Houston hopes that Smith continues his growth and development, and adds strength, to become that very player.
