“Houston Rockets: Recent Struggles and Ja Morant’s Agency Split Headline NBA Talks
In the NBA, the Houston Rockets have been the center of attention in March. Just a few days ago, despite losing their core player, Sheng Jing, the Rockets managed to secure an impressive 11-game winning streak led by Jalen Green. This put significant pressure on the Golden State Warriors, with the Rockets trailing by just one game. However, when faced with tougher opponents, the young Rockets faltered, suffering consecutive defeats against the Mavericks and Timberwolves, resulting in a two-game losing streak.
Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors have secured victories against the Spurs and Mavericks, extending their winning streak to five games. Currently, the Warriors have opened up a three-game lead over the Rockets and are just 1.5 games behind the Lakers. With only seven games left in the regular season, it seems like a relatively safe margin. According to ESPN’s data analysis, the probability of the Houston Rockets making it to the playoffs is a mere 0.8%, theoretically possible but highly unlikely.
On April 5th, the Rockets will face the Warriors, a team they have yet to defeat this season with a record of 0 wins and 2 losses. In fact, the Rockets haven’t beaten the Warriors in three seasons, with a record of 0 wins and 12 losses since the 2020-21 season. If the Rockets manage to defeat the Warriors in the upcoming game, there’s a theoretical chance of advancement, needing to win four more games than the Warriors due to their head-to-head disadvantage.
However, the Rockets’ upcoming opponents have an average winning percentage of 50.4%, while the Warriors have a simpler 47%. Unless the Warriors dramatically falter and the Rockets replicate their 11-game winning streak performance, their chances remain slim.
In the past two losses, Jalen Green’s performance has been underwhelming. He is essentially the barometer for the Rockets; when he doesn’t perform well, they tend to lose. Against the Mavericks, Green played 31 minutes, shooting 15 for 5 with only 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists.
The Mavericks’ backcourt combination of Doncic and Irving dominated the game from the start, putting the Rockets in a significant scoring drought in the first half, which they couldn’t recover from in the second half. The Rockets trailed by nearly 30 points at one point, and Green’s 12 points were all scored in the first half, highlighting their struggles against tougher opponents.
While there was some improvement against the Timberwolves, facing off against Edwards proved challenging. Despite recording 26 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists, Green’s three-point shooting was subpar, going 11 for 2, which is considered a failing grade. He also committed 5 turnovers, including 3 in the fourth quarter and 2 in the final minute, which ultimately cost them the game.
Since Sheng Jing’s injury, Jalen Green has stepped up his game, producing his best performances of his career in March and even earning a nomination for Player of the Month. However, he was ultimately edged out by Doncic, highlighting the fierce competition in the league.
Previously, there were rumors of the Rockets considering trading Green. It was reported that they were willing to offer four first-round picks along with Green to acquire Bridges from the Nets, but the Nets’ general manager declined the offer. However, given Green’s recent performances, such a trade package might need to be reconsidered. If Green can maintain his current level of play, the Rockets might consider trading Sheng Jing to build around the new Harden.
Overall, the Rockets face an uphill battle in their quest for the playoffs, with their fate hanging on precarious probabilities and the performance of their key players like Jalen Green.”
