5 Things Houston Rockets Must Improve After All-Star Break

By Jerry Landry

5 Things Houston Rockets Must Improve After All-Star Break

James Harden Kevin McHale Houston Rockets — The Houston Rockets hold second place in the NBA Southwest division by just one game with the stretch run approaching. They need to clear any kinks and baggage before hopefully making the playoffs. Whether they find themselves a top-two seed or in the lowly range of Nos. 6-8 depends on if they can improve these five things.

5. Scoring Defense

Dirk Nowitzki Dallas Mavericks Houston Rockets scoring

5. Scoring Defense

Dirk Nowitzki Dallas Mavericks Houston Rockets scoring — Houston sits tied for 17th in the NBA in scoring defense at 99.8 points per game. As the margin of error becomes thinner down the stretch, the margin of victory will have to increase.

4. Free Throw Percentage

Houston Rockets Terrence Jones free throws

4. Free Throw Percentage

Houston Rockets Terrence Jones free throws — Houston ranks 28th in the NBA in free throw percentage at just 71.8 percent. C’mon fellas, the line is undefended. Usually poor team free throw shooting is a result of poor team focus, so unfortunately the Rockets appear undisciplined. Fortunately, focus is something that can be readily improved for the playoffs.

3. Behind The Arc

James Harden Houston Rockets 3 ball

3. Behind The Arc

James Harden Houston Rockets 3 ball — Houston is in the middle of the pack (15th) when it comes to three-point FG percentage, but when you need to ice a game and put a team to bed, you need to be hitting threes at a more regular rate. This falls squarely on James Harden as both the leader of this team and an allegedly clutch presence from the deep stripe.

2. Defensive Rebounding

Houston Rockets Donatas Motiejunas Rebound

2. Defensive Rebounding

Houston Rockets Donatas Motiejunas Rebound — Houston ranks third in clearing the offensive glass but a below mediocre 22nd in defensive rebounding. Second and third chance opportunities will kill the Rockets down the stretch unless they can stanch this deficiency.

1. Ball Security

James Harden Houston Rockets ball handling

1. Ball Security

James Harden Houston Rockets ball handling — Houston turns the ball over at the second-worst tally in the NBA, just a spot ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers. It’s hard to win in the Western Conference when you’re in the same statistical territory as the Philadelphia 76ers, a team that’s desperately trying to lose.

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Houston Rockets

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