The Rockets don’t feel like defending…

This is the perfect match to chain victories, move away from last place and prove progress. Traveling to San Antonio, which was on an 11-game losing streak and had the worst offense in the league, the Rockets had all the cards in their hands to win and… they lost.

They are back to square one again, and it is the fault of a great lack of desire in defense. It’s unforgiving in the NBA, even against the Spurs who haven’t won since November 11.

“One day, we’ll understand that the only way to win games and start a streak is to make defense a priority” said Eric Gordon. “With his attack, any team can win. But when you have better defense, you get easier shots on offense. That’s when you give yourself a chance to dictate the game.”

Last night, the Rockets, and particularly the Porter Jr-Green duo, did not provide a defensive withdrawal, and in the put game, they did not challenge a 3-point shot. The 3rd quarter is the best example, and even more disappointing because the team had just beaten Phoenix and Philadelphia.

Misplaced shyness

“I found we were a little slow everywhere, especially defensively” said Rockets coach Stephen Silas. “Our preparation for this game was not what it should have been. When you take a step back, don’t fill gaps, get back on defense in transition play, and don’t do the important things on defense, you’re going to lose. That’s how happened. »

What is weighing on the Rockets this season is the poor start to the game. Regularly, the team starts playing when it trails by 10 or 12 points. But that night, there was no desire, and Stephen Silas pointed out the sufficiency of his players. As if they got the Spurs high.

“Sometimes you have to do something, and I didn’t like the way we behaved tonight”coach said. “I didn’t like our defensive intensity. I didn’t like our attention to detail. I don’t like the way they are the aggressors, and we are not. »

What was Jalen Green thinking, whose only success of the night was this 3-pointer at the buzzer in the first half, on one leg? “We just lack energy” he defends himself. “Coach said, we didn’t play from the start of the game. I think we didn’t have the energy the whole game. »

Houston regained last place

For Alperen Sengun, it was a day off. “Tonight, we didn’t defend well. We are not focused. A day off. It should be forgotten. We will do better in the next game. When we defend well together, we win. We were not very concentrated, we lost. We have to focus on defense because everything starts with defense. »

Upon arrival, Houston bowed out, finding last place in its conference. Players want to move on, and their progress is ultimately nonexistent.

“Going into this game with excitement and everything we put into the game against Philadelphia, I wouldn’t say we did enough because San Antonio played well and they’re a well-coached team.” concluded Stephen Silas. “But I was disappointed that we were a little slow. They dominated us in one-on-one situations. They were going into the corners and we didn’t close the gaps. It’s really frustrating not being in the right place and not making the right effort. »