Hoops Habit
Fansided

Houston Rockets: Finishing Second Does Matter

By Mauricio Putz

Mar 17, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets mascot Clutch entertains fans before a game against the Orlando Magic at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets mascot Clutch entertains fans before a game against the Orlando Magic at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

It’s been quite the challenge to try and find the cracks within the Houston Rockets‘ regular-season success. And I’ve been somewhat successful doing so. However, at the end of it all, the Houston Rockets, despite their massive collection of injuries to their starting lineup, have come through.

More from Houston Rockets

After a 99-91 battle against the once promising Washington Wizards, the Houston Rockets reached second place in the Western Conference. But they lost it after a 99-96 loss to the Toronto Raptors that put an end to their four-game win streak.

Throughout the season the Rockets have had a plus-3.3 point differential. Usually, such a small point differential would mean that a team is barely outperforming opponents, therefore, a couple of games here and there could eventually go against them. Not a great sign for playoff basketball.

Also, the injuries keep piling up for them. Ever since the last time we talked about injuries, here, starting point guard Patrick Beverley has been ruled out for the season with a torn ligament in his wrist. Having James Harden as the team’s unofficial point guard helps soften the blow of losing Beverley.

Also, Dwight Howard has failed to reach the 20-minute mark ever since coming back from injury. He’s clearly on a minutes-restriction program to try and get healthy for the playoffs; however, with no back-to-backs and only 41 games under his legs, it is unclear if he’ll ever get to where the Rockets need him to go through the toughest competitors within the Western Conference.

By getting the second seed behind the 60-13 Golden State Warriors, not only would the Houston Rockets most likely face the struggling Dallas Mavericks in the first-round, reinforcing the team’s chances of getting to the second round, but they’ll also have home-court advantage throughout the playoffs as long as they don’t face the Golden State Warriors and/or the Atlanta Hawks.

How big of a deal is home court? For the Rockets, huge.

Live Feed

2 Houston Rockets international players that never played a single minute
2 Houston Rockets international players that never played a single minute /

Space City Scoop

  • Rockets forward Dillon Brooks takes shot at Memphis GrizzliesSpace City Scoop
  • Former Rockets guard finds himself at center of bizarre scandalSpace City Scoop
  • Houston Rockets receive surprising offseason gradeSpace City Scoop
  • 4 Houston Rockets with most on the line in pivotal 2023-24 seasonSpace City Scoop
  • Rockets end war with one archenemy, hope for dissolution with otherSpace City Scoop

    • At home, the Houston Rockets hold opponents to 97.2 points per game. Whereas being on the road results in a six-point swing in points per game allowed, 103.1. At home, the Rockets win 73 percent of their games, whereas on the road, that number drops by 10 percent. Also, opponents shoot only 29 percent from beyond the arc when they play at the Toyota Center.

    Overall, the Houston Rockets’ performance at home ends up giving opponents a minus-5.2 plus/minus. Whereas on the road, the Rockets barely outscore opponents by 1.2 points per game. Thus resulting in a huge advantage when the Houston Rockets are at home, having home court throughout the playoffs gives them the upper hand against almost any other team in the league.

    There’s only three games separating the second-place Memphis Grizzlies and the sixth-place San Antonio Spurs so, with nine games left in the regular-season, a lot of things can happen in the West. The Rockets have two games left against the Spurs.**

    With the Rockets only half a game behind the Memphis Grizzlies and only two weeks left in the regular season, the battle for the second seed will likely come down to the wire between both squads.

    Whoever comes out on top will likely face have an easy first-round against the Dallas Mavericks. Whoever ends up with the third seed, an early playoff outing against the almighty San Antonio Spurs awaits.

    * Note: The top-seeded Warriors have a plus-10.4 Point Differential. 

    ** Note: Uh-oh.

    Next: Will The Rockets Make It Past The First Round?

    More from Hoops Habit

    Home/Houston Rockets