Before the season, Houston would have seemed like a wise choice to bet on in most games, but details of discontent among the players and coaches suggest why they are not a premier Western Conference team.
Houston is battling for a playoff spot despite the presence of two stars: James Harden and Dwight Howard. However, reports surfaced this year at the trade deadline that Harden was pushing to have Howard moved, which doesn’t bode well for team chemistry as the season winds down.
Howard, a former league leader in rebounds and also former defensive player of the year, isn’t even averaging a double-double and has not found success in Houston. Ever since leaving Orlando for the Lakers, Howard’s career has not gone well. Especially since he doesn’t gel with Harden (27+ PPG), it was a failed experiment by the Rockets.
There’s a good supporting cast around, as Trevor Ariza, Patrick Beverley, Marcus Thornton and Corey Brewer and Josh Smith, but many are shadows of their former selves. They started the year with Ty Lawson, a dynamic point guard who came over from Denver, but has struggled with alcohol and the law and was recently released.
While Harden is a legit star, his lackluster defense is uninspiring. The Rockets are fighting with Portland and Utah for the final two playoff spots, but don’t expect Houston to be able to upset Golden State or San Antonio in the first round of the playoffs.
The Rockets have wins against San Antonio and Houston, but the vast majority of their victories have come against weaker teams.
Houston Rockets Next Game
Are the Rockets playing at home or on the road? Have they come up against a dvisional rival or a conference foe? You’ll want to know these kind of facts before placing your next bet.
Houston Rockets Season Schedule
Houston is playing to prolong their season and the sense of urgency should help them in some games. Have a look down the line to get a more holistic perspective.
Houston Rockets Standings
It’s always good to see where the Rockets sit in the standings. Have a look at what teams are close by and what teams the Rockets should beat on any given night.