If you’ve been paying attention to the Western Conference play-in race, you’re undoubtedly aware of the potential Los Angeles Lakers-Golden State Warriors matchup. But if the Rockets stay hot and Warriors continue their poor play, Houston might spoil that matchup for fans who were hoping to see LeBron James vs. Steph Curry in the postseason again.
Is Houston’s hot streak for real or should fans disregard it as a product of the last full month of the NBA regular season, when bizarre outcomes are a tradition?
Since March 1, the Rockets are 11-1 and own the second-best net rating in the NBA – including the second-ranked offense and fourth-ranked defense. They’re protecting the ball well, posting the third-best TOV%, making the fourth-most three-pointers and getting MVP-level production from Jalen Green. In March, Green is averaging 27.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists while shooting 40.9% from three-point range.
Add in that Houston (36-35) is doing this without star center Alperen Sengun – who is sidelined with an ankle injury – and it becomes even more impressive. (And no, before you ask, the Rockets should not trade their 21- year-old center who almost made the All-Star game this season.)
Realistically, nothing the Rockets are doing is sustainable. After all, the NBA in March is notorious for producing strange results and stats. But this run doesn’t have to be sustainable for it to be a great sign for Houston’s future and enough to call this season an overwhelming success for the Rockets, whether or not they pass Golden State and sneak into the play-in game.
The biggest reason for that success is the rapid development of Houston’s young core. Green isn’t the only player who is taking a late-season leap. Since the All-Star break, rookie Amen Thompson is averaging 11.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks. He missed extended time early in the season, so to watch him sprout into a productive player is a surprising-but-welcome storyline for Rockets fans.
