Rockets vs. Thunder Preview: Getting Back To Building Winning Habits

The Houston Rockets (13-44) have had several embarrassing moments throughout the season. But none as bad as what took place on Feb. 4 against the Oklahoma City Thunder (27-29).

The Thunder handed the Rockets a 153-121 loss — their worst defeat of the season. Houston allowed the Thunder to shoot 45.7 percent from behind the arc, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 42 points on 14-of-23 shooting in three quarters.

The Rockets will enter the All-Star break holding the league's worst record. But as they close their four-game regular-season series against the Thunder, Houston will try to get back to building winning habits inside the Paycom Center Wednesday night.

"There was a lot stacked up against us, but you have to step up," coach Stephen Silas said. "In these kinds of situations, you cannot succumb to it. We've been talking about building winning habits, and this was not one of them."

Rockets vs. Thunder Broadcast Information:

Date: Wednesday, Feb. 15
Time: 7:00 p.m.
TV Channel: AT&T SportsNet
Radio: 790 AM
Live Stream: League Pass

Rockets Injury Report:

Kevin Porter Jr. (left foot contusion) OUT

Oklahoma City Thunder Injury Report:

Chet Holmgren (right foot surgery) OUT
Aleksej Pokusevski (left tibial plateau) OUT

Three things to watch:

Thunderstruck:

Dating back to the 2020-21 campaign, the Rockets have recorded victories in six of their last nine meetings against the Thunder. Houston is 2-1 against Oklahoma City this season.

Not a one-dimensional team:

The Thunder have possessed a top-five offensive team in the league through 56 games. But Oklahoma City has also been one of the top defensive teams.

The Thunder currently owns the 11th-best defensive rating at 113.0. OKC is second in the league, allowing the fewest opponent points off turnovers at just 15.1. They also rank 13th in blocks (4.9) and fifth in steals (8.3).

Aleksej Pokusevski (1.3) and Gilgeous-Alexander (1.1) are the lone two Oklahoma City players averaging more than a block a game.

Trying to limit Shai Gilgeous-Alexander:

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had one of his best performances of the season on Feb. 4. But the Rockets also contributed to one of his worst. Houston limited SGA to 24 points on an inefficient 7-of-23 shooting during its 112-106 win on Feb. 1.

Silas described the defense played on SGA as a team effort. He credited several players for their contributions. But Silas emphasized the defensive performances of Daishen Nix and Jae'Sean Tate as Houston's top contributors.

Since his 42-point performance against Houston, Gilgeous-Alexander has averaged 29.5 points on 51.4 percent shooting. SGA scored 44 points for the second time this season in a nine-point win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Feb. 10.

You can follow Coty M. Davis on Twitter at @CotyDavis_24

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