While the Houston Rockets remain entrenched as a top-10 team in both offensive and defensive ratings, there have been moments this season where effectiveness on one end of the court impacts the other.
The Rockets struck a better balance in their 125-105 win over the Utah Jazz on Monday, before they complete a two-game homestand Wednesday against the Sacramento Kings.
Houston shot a robust 57% while limiting the Jazz to 36.7% shooting, including 8 of 44 from behind the arc. The Rockets established an offensive groove in the early stages, and that bolstered a defensive effort that at times has wavered when shooting is wayward.
“Whether it’s poor shooting or poor scoring for certain guys and the team in general, it seems to bleed over into our defense, and we can’t have that,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said. “We need to maintain what we do there and let that fuel us on the other end.”
The Rockets’ defense led the turnaround from a sluggish start to the second quarter. After Utah shaved a 16-point deficit to 40-35, the Rockets reestablished control by running with abandon. Houston posted 14 fast-break points and had 26 points in the paint in the period, a performance that runs counter to a team that ranks 21st in fast-break points and 28th in the NBA in pace.
Jabari Smith Jr.’s 31 points (12-of-17 shooting), three blocks and three steals led the charge.
“We guarded extremely well in the first half, and that creates our own turnovers,” Udoka said. “It’s always good for us when we can do that. The kick-aheads were great; we showed three examples at halftime of the ball moving side to side, changing sides, and guys getting out running.
“We love that pace and love the aggressiveness and guys hunting shots, either 3s or getting to the basket. That was due to really good defense.”
The short-handed Kings snapped a franchise-worst 16-game losing skid with their 123-114 road win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday.
Sacramento previously announced that Zach LaVine (finger), Domantas Sabonis (back) and De’Andre Hunter (eye) were shelved for the remainder of the season, yet found the gumption to record its first victory since capping a four-game winning streak against the Washington Wizards on Jan. 16.
The Kings, mired in the Western Conference cellar, have three games remaining on their five-game road trip. The triumph against the Grizzlies provided a boost to their collective spirits.
“The next one is Houston, and we’re going to go there and compete at a high level,” Kings coach Doug Christie said. “First and foremost, the competition level has to be high. You meet the game with physicality, and then you share the ball.
“Two things that travel in the NBA are defense and rebounding. Shots may or may not fall. It’s a different gym. The lights are different, the rims are different. But the two things that you can control are defense and rebounding, so it needs to get on that plane and go to Houston with us.”
