How Far Will the Rockets Go this Season?

The Houston Rockets are off to a 12-6 start and are looking to make the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Offensively, the Rockets have a balanced attack. Not one player averages over 20 points a game, with Jalen Green leading the team at 18.7 points a contest. With the hot start, the Rockets should be, at the worst, a play-in team this season. 

Their balanced scoring attack and a defensive identity to shut down 3-point barrages from opposing teams have been working well for them. They have the defensive length in Dillon Brooks and Jabari Smith and scorers in Green and Fred Vanvleet. The man in the middle, Alperen Sengun, is the player they play through. They rely on him to playmake and dominate out of the post and elbow sets. 

Defensively, the Rockets are third in defensive points per game given up (105.1). This defensive excellence comes specifically from beyond the arc, where they are fifth in defensive 3-point percentage (34.3) and fourth in least number of attempts beyond the arc allowed (34.7). It means that their defensive identity is to be aggressive on the perimeter, run shooters off the line, and stay home on shooters as help defenders. Don’t be surprised if the Rockets finish with the best win total improvement from last season.