Houston Rockets: 3 takeaways from March
3. The Rockets’ defense is legit
After finishing 18th overall in defensive efficiency last season, the Houston Rockets’ defense has shown exactly what a difference a year can make in 2018, as the team with the best record in basketball has now found a way to shut down opponents consistently over the last several months.
Through 76 games played on the 2017-18 regular season, Houston ranks seventh overall among all teams in defensive rating, allowing 103.9 points per 100 possessions. The Rockets currently sit fifth overall in steals with a total of 8.6 thefts per contest, thanks to the stellar defense from forwards P.J. Tucker, Trevor Ariza and Luc Mbah a Moute.
These three versatile wing defenders have helped the Rockets get big-time stops late in ball games and taken on the challenge of guarding multiple positions all season long, as Clutch City’s defense is on pace to finish within the top 10 for the first time since the 2014-15 campaign.
"“Overall I think our defense is better,” Mike D’Antoni told Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. “You’re always trying to get up there. Top 10 probably gives us a legitimate shot of being deep in the playoffs. Top five gives us a really good shot.” “Our goal is to always get better. We’d like to get to fifth or as high as we can.”"
Although D’Antoni has repeatedly stated that he would like to see his team finish in the top five in defense, the 66-year-old whose teams are primarily known more for their fast-paced offense should be quite impressed to see how far Houston has come within the last year in just his second season at the helm.
During the month of March, the Rockets posted the sixth-best defensive rating in basketball, allowing almost three fewer points per 100 possessions compared to their season average. They’ve also held opposing teams to 43.7 percent shooting from the field over their last three games.
As a result, D’Antoni’s commitment to defense can no longer be taken as a joke by his critics, as the additions of Tucker and Mbah a Moute have provided Houston with a newfound defensive identity that will prove to be quite vital come playoff time.