There were 12 and 15 in 2021/22, then 11 and 13 in 2022/23. These are the Rockets' biggest losing streaks in the last two years. These last two campaigns, the Houston franchise had accumulated 19 and 22 victories, and this year, Ime Udoka's men are already 37, and above all they remain on 10 victories in a row!
“I haven’t known the pain of the last three years with all the defeats,” reminds Ime Udoka. “Obviously it means a lot to them. For me too. Ten wins in a row is ten wins in a row. This is difficult to achieve in the NBA. The guys are proud of this effort, and it is well deserved. After the last three years with 17, 19 and 22 wins, it's a logical reaction when you have 10 wins in a row. Just continuing to play for something, winning 10 times in a row and playing against high quality teams, that's the reaction you get. It’s invaluable for our young people to experience this. Obviously, making the playoffs and the play-in would be an additional step. »
One win away from 10th place Warriors
“We are going to play a play-in match and we are going to continue to win” says Jalen Greenwhile the Rockets are on the heels of the Warriors: 37v-35d for Houston, 38v-34d for Golden State. “We are a good team. We prove that we are dogs. That we are competitors” continues Jalen Green, serious candidate for Player of the Month for March.
In March, the Rockets posted a record of 12 wins for 1 loss, and the victory in OKC (admittedly deprived of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) made an impression. For Ime Udoka, this trip was “a barometer” to gauge the quality of the team, and this is what Fred VanVleet remembers, the perfect complement to the electric Green at the back.
“In a series of 10 victories, there will be all types of victories and all the means to achieve them”, recalls the former Toronto leader. “We won with big margins. We saw teams playing with their B team facing us. And then there is a team like the Thunder. Sure, they were without Shai, but they are one of the best teams of the year, especially at home. »
Confidence increases from match to match
What Fred VanVleet appreciates is that Houston has become the team to beat in the West with this series. “Every game, given what we do and what we preach, we are tested. And we test ourselves. It's one more match where we can step back and say: 'What we're doing here is working. And what we practice and preach works.' You just have to trust yourself. This trust is built over time and continues to grow. (Wednesday's victory) is another step in that direction. »
This evening, the Rockets are in Salt Lake City to aim for an 11th victory in a row, against a team already on vacation. But very vengeful after the scuffles which tarnished their last two clashes.
