In case you haven’t heard, the Houston Rockets have gone streaking.
Finding a silver lining in the aftermath of Alperen Sengun’s heartbreaking lower leg injury, two distinct factors have led to the Rockets winning six straight games, four without Sengun.
The Secret Ingredient of the Rockets’ Recent Success
The primary reason for their success may be the improved play of Jalen Green. Plagued by inconsistent shot-making and effort, the 2021 No. 2 pick developed an unsavory reputation in Houston. Though capable of remarkable accuracy on any given night, his worst games saw him leaving bruises on the rim.
However, Green has steadily improved throughout the season. First, he honed in on his perimeter defense. Then, he began to take more controlled drives to the rim. Next, he heeded head coach Ime Udoka’s call to crash the glass. Finally, he straightened up his form on his 3-point attempts.
Put all together, Green is a multifaceted wing whose value goes beyond the norm. His numbers are marvelous as well. During the Rockets’ win streak, Green has been averaging 27.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game, shooting 50.9 percent from the field and 44.2 percent from 3.
The second reason for their success has been the change to their starting lineup. With Sengun out, rookie Amen Thompson is in at forward and 2022 No. 3 pick Jabari Smith Jr. has shifted to center. The result has been a small-ball lineup that relies on their speed and ability to get up and down the court. It’s distinctly different from their play style before Sengun was sidelined.
Thompson, who the Rockets selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, is among those who believe their change of pace has led to wins.
“Being small but how fast we are, defensive rebounding, we are able to push the pace, outrun every team,” Thompson says, per Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. “That’s really what’s happened. Just push it up and get a lot of fast breaks.”
Thompson, a first-class athlete, has been at his best around the rim throughout the season. Whether it’s getting out on the fastbreak, attacking the paint from the perimeter, or making players as a roller and cutter, he’s a threat to make plays above and below the rim. With his 44-inch vertical, Thompson is also a topflight rebounder.
In the four games he’s started since Şengün has been out, Thompson’s averaging 17.3 points and 8.3 rebounds per game while shooting 78.4 percent from the field. A team-high 24.6 percent of his field goals have come off of fast breaks. Additionally, a team-high 84.1 percent of his points have come in the paint.
“… (We’re) really emphasizing to the guards to come back and help and crash rebound,” says Udoka. “We’ve also emphasized the pace, increasing the pace and the spacing.”
To Udoka’s latter point, Smith’s starting at center helps exactly the way they hoped. At 6-foot-11, he shoots 36.2 percent from 3. In the past four games, he’s been ever better, shooting 42.1 percent from 3.
“If you set the screen and get your guard open, the big has to help. I’ll pop back, and … it’s a good shot for me, especially with centers guarding me in drop coverages.”
“I’m getting a little more comfortable doing it,” Smith says of playing center. “I played five a little bit this season, but not this much. Just trying to learn how to play with different people guarding…”
While it’s there’s been a learning curve for Smith, he’s producing well. His 3-point percentage over the last four games has been superb. However, he’s also averaging 17.3 points and 8.8 points per game.
“He has the space and can get up whatever shot he’s comfortable with and we’re trying to take advantage of.”
“He’s going to have an advantage there,” Udoka says of Smith’s position change. “A lot of times, it should be harder for those guys to guard him than it is for him to guard the non-scoring bigs inside.”
