The Slide Continues: Thunder Storm Back to Zap Rockets, 112-107
SOS. Death from a Distance. Rock Bottom?
In what’s become the season full of dreadful losses, the Houston Rockets suffered arguably their worst one yet, collapsing against the Thunder on Monday night, in a 112-107 defeat at Toyota Center. Houston held a 17 point lead, and even had a 15 point edge well into the fourth quarter. Holding leads means nothing, when the Rockets can’t seem to put a complete game together. James Harden’s slump continues. The Beard shot a horrid 1-for-17 from distance, killing the team with his inability to connect on shots he usually makes. It’s not even close, but Russell Westbrook has been Houston’s best player during this losing streak, which feels like the Dark Ages, with each collapsing defeat. Brodie finished with a triple-double, securing 32 points, 11 boards, and 12 dimes. Harden scored 29 on 9-for-29 shooting, and Danuel House had a “better” game, as he appeared thirsty ton burst out of his slump, garnering 13 points. Other than that, this was a contest where the Rockets’ sloppy play, inability to hit timely shots, and poor defense all led to their demise. No one’s smiled more after the game than Chris Paul. CP3 led the Thunder with 28 points, and has now won both games in Houston on his “revenge tour.”
Searching for the cause of Houston’s current four-game losing isn’t Rocket-science. Their best player, Harden, is in career-low slump that’s seemed to come out of nowhere. The Beard was in the thick of the MVP chatter before things went awry. Now all that talk’s turned into distant whispering. Any chances for Harden to get the MVP award have slipped away. Hopefully, that will get his focus on winning. It’s not the end of the world, but this current four-game skid feels worse than the 2017/2018 team’s five-game losing streak. And that was the Rockets team that set the franchise record with 65 wins. What’s happening in Houston now, feels like a slow unraveling. As the Rockets have held double-digit leads in three of the games they’ve dropped during this stretch. It’s simple stuff, the little things. Taking care of the basketball. Defensive assignments. For some reason, it’s not clicking for Houston. And it runs deeper than on the court.
Head Coach Mike D’Antoni continues to make questionable rotational moves throughout game. After Isaiah Hartenstein’s best game of the season, where he had 17 points, 15 boards, and 5 blocks, D’Antoni claimed Houston had found their backup center. And they had. Only, for some reason, he has rarely seen the court since. It’s a reason no one can seem to fathom. Harty’s not injured, and he’s not a shooter. Hartenstein brings hustle and energy every night. There’s no reason he shouldn’t be on the floor for at least 15 minutes a game. Hustle and energy are two factors that stay consistent. Unlike a shooter, who may have his off-nights, a player of Hartenstein’s caliber will always bring intensity when he plays. There’s no reason, after what Hustlestein resume’s shown this season, for him to be riding the bench. It’s as if the all-too-known rumor of D’Antoni being axed after this year is affecting the team. The coach doesn’t appear to want to make the right decisions. And from a player’s standpoint, it’s tough to play hard for someone who you know job’s up after the season.
I would say this is rock bottom, but I thought the same thing after the last two games. And with the competitive Denver Nuggets coming into town for the Rockets next matchup, Houston’s skid might not be over. The Rockets need to tighten up, focus on the fundamentals, and just play their brand of basketball. They were fine all season, amid a few letdowns, until this strange spell has plagued the squad. Hopefully, Houston can bounce back against the Nuggets. James Harden returned to the court at Toyota Center only minutes after Monday’s loss, and was seen going through his pre-game shooting routine. Whatever he needs to do, the Beard needs to find his rhythm. Brodie is finally playing well, and making the right decisions. It’s time for Harden to make a return to the court as well, and end this dreadful losing spell.