Since the start of the season, the Rockets have had difficulty winning away from Houston. We could therefore be worried when they began a six-match “road trip” in the Eastern Conference. Ten days later, the results confirm the concerns and problems of the Texans.
Because there is only one victory on the clock. And it was in Detroit, facing the worst team in the league and which could become the worst in history in a few months…
“It’s obviously a disappointing road trip,” can only regret Ime Udoka for the Houston Chronicle. “We have regressed in many areas. From the harshness to the physical impact, including our competitiveness, we have gone backwards. We were gentle in all areas. »
The last stage against the Knicks did not save the furniture. The Texans left New York with a fifteen-point defeat in their legs.
“It requires a certain level of competition and we didn’t have it during these matches,” notes the Rockets coach. “We were a little better in this meeting, but in the important moments, the Knicks played harder than us. If we don't evolve at this level, we can't give ourselves a chance. »
A return home to reverse the trend
However, Jalen Green and his teammates had ambitions. “We approached this road trip by telling ourselves that we should take at least the first three matches,” confides the rear in reference to the matches in Miami, Chicago and Detroit. “It would have given us momentum. But it got complicated, we didn't have the answers. We moved back. »
A figure shows this very well. In this sequence of six matches, Houston, although solid on this side of the field, posted the 25th defense in the league… “ We don't make the effort for 48 minutes. We don’t shoot well and our opponents dominate us”targets Dillon Brooks.
Will coming home really do any good? Because we will have to face Utah, a team in good shape at the moment, and Boston, the best team in the league, in two days. It won't be easy but, at least, the Rockets will be able to practice this Friday. For the first time in 2024.
“It will be a good thing to come home,” warns Fred VanVleet. “We’re going to go home, sleep in our beds. The coaches will observe what did not work. Dynamics work both ways. So we come home to set a positive dynamic in motion. We know that we can reverse the trend. »
