Poor Effort, Slow Start, Doom Rockets in 119-108 Loss to Pelicans
Uglier Than it Looks. Late Beacon of Light. What Now?
On Victor Wembanyama’s birthday, just when it seemed like the Rockets had nowhere to go but up, Houston fell flat on their face, as the Pelicans handed the Rockets a 119-108 loss on Wednesday night. C.J. McCollum led New Orleans with 28 points, and Jonas Valanciunas had another ALl-Star caliber game against Houston, compiling 16 points and 17 boards. This game was far uglier than the final score eludes. The Rockets trailed by a whopping 23 points, 45-22, after the first quarter. Frustrations are even starting to creep into Stephen Silas’ brain, as the Rockets’ Head Coach was ejected early in the game for only the second time in his career. After finally giving guys like Josh Christopher playing time, Houston crept closer, but it was too little too late. The Rockets could only climb partially out of the hole they found themselves in after another terrible start. This exiting the gates slowly trend is becoming scary for a Houston team desperate for victories. It’s hard to win in the NBA, let alone coming from behind to win. The Rockets have to start off games better.
Despite the late comeback attempt, this game was truly the ugliest of the season for Houston. Before a timeout in the third quarter, Jabari Smith Jr. expressed his frustrations about Alperen Sengun’s defense to John Lucas. It’s no secret Sengun is an offensive weapon for Houston, and a defensive weakness, but his offensive talents outweigh his defensive struggles. To witness something like this take place is merely another sign Stephen Silas doesn’t have command of the locker room.
Up next the Rockets return home, where they haven’t won a game since December 13th. Houston will host the Utah Jazz on the second night of a back-to-back. Jae’Sean Tate is rumored to make his return after missing 35 games. Last year’s MVP is needed for these undisciplined Rockets. Houston has almost completely played themselves into the lottery, and if that trend continues, they’ll be in position to move up to the best spot possible in order to land the NBA’s most hyped player since LeBron James… in today’s birthday boy, Victor Wembanyama.