Houston Rockets: Latest Stretch Proves They Can Be Dangerous In Playoffs

Published: 20^th Feb 12 11:17 pm

by Jeff Shull
New York Giants, Houston Texans, Texas A&M Football Featured Columnist

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Houston Rockets: Latest Stretch Proves They Can Be Dangerous In Playoffs

Before the season started, you likely would have paid little attention to the Houston Rockets as a serious playoff contender. Their current stretch of play is proving otherwise.

You probably even wrote them off when they started the season 3-7. However, those first 10 games were very tough. Those seven losses included six road games against the Magic, Grizzlies, Lakers, Clippers, Thunder, and Spurs, and the seventh loss was a home game to the Thunder, who have the league’s best record.

After the first nine games of the season, head coach Kevin McHale inserted free agent pickup Samuel Dalembert and rookie Chandler Parsons in to the starting lineup.

Since then, the Rockets are 16-8 and are playing some very good basketball. The Dalembert addition to the lineup was the key difference for a stretch where the Rockets won eight of nine and 10 of 13 to close out the month of January.

Now that he’s been needing more rest after that initial explosion, the Rockets are showcasing their depth and using their bench to win games of late.

At one point the Rockets beat the Nuggest, Blazers, and Suns all on the road, and the bench scored more than 50 points in all three contests.

With recent wins over the Thunder and Grizzlies (tonight), the Rockets are proving to be a very dangerous team. Their last three victories came as a result of stifling defense late in games.

The Rockets came from behind to beat the Thunder last Wednesday, holding them scoreless over the final 2:44 and surviving three game winning field goal attempts from Kevin Durant.

Sunday night, the Rockets manhandled the Jazz in the second half, outscoring them 56-37.

Tonight the Rockets welcomed the Grizzlies to Houston, who had beaten the Rockets twice before by healthy margins. The game was close throughout until the Rockets turned on the defense in the fourth quarter. They held the Grizzlies without a field goal for the first 6:17 seconds, pulling away to go up by 10 at one point.

They were able to hold off a late charge, making all nine of their free throw attempts in the final period.

Obviously the Rockets have issues. They apparently cannot beat the Timberwolves, and fall victim to the let down like their recent loss to the Warriors, but this is just the first year under McHale and it’s a lockout shortened season.

There is still room for improvement and time for this team to gel. They have plenty of scorers, Kyle Lowry playing very well at the point guard position, Samuel Dalembert in big minutes is a great defensive asset, and Chandler Parsons is developing as a perimeter defender.

Even if it is not this season, the Rockets are putting together a fantastic roster for the future that could do damage in the post season.

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