Rockets Must Bring Same 'Energy' to Fix Consistency Woes
HOUSTON — One step forward, three steps back has been the best way to describe the Houston Rockets season through 47 games.
On Wednesday night, the Rockets sustained a 110-99 defeat to the short-handed New Orleans Pelicans inside the Toyota Center. The loss came after the Rockets had arguably their best performance of the season amid a blowout victory against the Los Angeles Lakers 48 hours earlier.
The loss kept the Rockets in 11th place in the Western Conference, meaning if the NBA Play-In Tournament were to take place today, Houston would not qualify. And for the first time in his coaching career, Ime Udoka would have missed the postseason.
Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) and New Orleans Pelicans forward Naji Marshall (8) react after a play during the fourth quarter at Toyota Center.
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Finding consistency is the most significant attribute the Rockets must solve in their final 35 games. If not, phase II of Houston's rebuilding project will begin with another missed playoff appearance.
"Just got to bring the same energy every night," Jalen Green said. "The energy that we had against the Lakers — it has to be every night. Coming out and winning is a priority. The offense is going to take care of itself at the end of the day, it's really just locking up on defense."
Even though a scoreless seven-minute stretch to begin the fourth quarter was a 180 from the offensive dominance the Rockets displayed against the Lakers, Houston's defense declined significantly against New Orleans.
They allowed four of their five starters to score in double-figures, led by Jonas Valančiūnas with 25 points, but the Pelicans began the night firing on all cylinders. New Orleans connected on six 3-point field goals during the first quarter, which led to the team shooting 50 percent from the field the rest of the night.
Although the Pelicans' 3-point shooting cooled, they dominated the Rockets from the inside. Whether Valančiūnas scoring from the post or Brandon Ingram attacking downhill, New Orleans outscored Houston 50-36 amid points in the paint.
Udoka credited the lack of communication for the Rockets' defensive decline. Early in the first half, a defensive miscommunication left Jabari Smith Jr. puzzled when determining which teammate failed to step up in help defense.
"It was really just rotations and just talking early," Green said. "We weren't talking early enough. When you're not talking early, you get mixed up, not knowing if I stay with my man or waiting all the way. That's pretty much it."
The Rockets notched an offensive net rating of 123.9 when they scored 135 points against the Lakers Monday night. Houston had one of their best defensive performances of the season by recording a rating of 109.2.
Unfortunately for Houston, their offensive rating declined to 103.1 against the Pelicans. And on the defensive end, the Rockets' net rating descended to 114.6.
Green was the lone player who sustained his level of play against the Pelicans. He posted his third 30-point performance in four games, finishing with 34 points on 55.0 percent shooting from the field.
