Hoops Habit
Fansided

Houston Rockets: Is Dwight Howard A Liability?

By Mauricio Putz

Apr 21, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) reacts while playing against the Dallas Mavericks in the first half in game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 21, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) reacts while playing against the Dallas Mavericks in the first half in game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

To no one’s surprise, the Houston Rockets have a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Dallas Mavericks. However, even though they seemed unbeatable for the first three games of the series — which they won by a combined 24 points — it seems the Mavericks have somewhat exposed the Houston Rockets.

More from Houston Rockets

During the regular season, former All-Star center Dwight Howard missed exactly half the season, and the Houston Rockets still had the league’s eighth-best defensive rating of 103.4 and were 17th in points per game allowed. Quite a feat when you realize that they had unproven players such as Joey Dorsey, Donatas Motiejunas and Clint Capela protecting the rim.

The Houston Rockets also had the league’s sixth-best offense in points per game with 103.9.

The previous success on both ends of the floor was the direct result of an otherworldly performance by MVP-hopeful James Harden and his two-dimensional transformation.

As a result, four games into the series, the Houston Rockets have the Mavericks holding on for dear life. So now, after a 121-109 loss to the Mavericks on the road, who’s to blame for the Rockets’ “exposure”?

With James Harden playing at an exceptional level — 28.5 ppg — it must be Dwight Howard’s fault.

Ever since he got back from his 26-game sabbatical — the longest of his career — the Houston Rockets have allowed an average of 106.3 points per game. Not quite the improvement you’d expect once Howard came back and took over for Clint Capela and Donatas Motiejunas.

During the Houston Rockets’ Sunday loss to the Mavericks, after a 13-point and 26-rebound explosion in Game 3, Dwight Howard had only 13 points and seven rebounds.

Also, during the loss, “Hack-A-Dwight” was in full mode as Dwight Howard took roughly 32.5 percent of the Rockets’ free throws (13) and made only three of them, automatically dropping the Rockets free throw percentage to a mediocre 65 percent.

The Rockets’ were 27th in the NBA in free-throw percentage during the regular season with .715.

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

    • However, for the second straight postseason, Dwight Howard has had some pretty solid games for the Rockets; he’s averaging 16.3 points and 12.5 rebounds per game. And he is holding opponents to only 42.9 percent shooting against him overall, and a mere 40.7 percent when he’s defending a shot within less than six feet from the basket — a -16.9 differential from the shooters’ usual field goal percentage less than six feet from the basket.

    Dwight Howard is one of the team’s most important players and is constantly battling a rather old frontcourt made up by Charlie Villanueva (30), Tyson Chandler (32), Amar’e Stoudemire (32), and Dirk Nowtizki (36), but even after missing 41 games during the season, it is impressive to see how Howard’s been able to pick up the pace in such a short period of time.

    So, if not Howard, who’s to blame for their “struggles”?

    Everyone. For once, the Rockets have got the second-worst defense, per points per game allowed, of the playoffs. They’re only better than the Dallas Mavericks’ defense — allowing 114 and 117 points per game, respectively.

    The Houston Rockets also have the best offense in the playoffs per points per game with 117. However, they’re playing against the worst defense of the playoffs and the 25th defense per points per game allowed during the regular season, 102.3.

    The Rockets might not have any trouble finishing off the Mavericks at home on Tuesday, but once they face the upper echelon of the Western Conference — whoever comes out of the Los Angeles Clippers and San Antonio Spurs bloodbath series and eventually whoever gets to the West Finals (if they make it) — each and every single one of their flaws will be exposed exponentially.

    Especially their defense.

    Next: Rockets: Role Players Are Key For Title Pursuit

    More from Hoops Habit

    Home/Houston Rockets