Houston Rockets: 3 takeaways from the preseason

MEMPHIS, TN - OCTOBER 12: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets looks on against the Memphis Grizzlies during a pre-season game on October 12, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

1 of 4

Photo by Bill Baptist/Getty Images /

The 2018-19 NBA season is almost upon us, as the Houston Rockets are ready to make their mark in the Western Conference. Here are the three major takeaways from the preseason.

In a preseason where several coaches and teams sought to tinker and experiment with their training camp rosters, the Houston Rockets treated their five-game exhibition slate as if every contest counted towards the 82-game regular season slate.

Head coach Mike D’Antoni played starters such as Chris Paul, James Harden and key reserves in regular season-like minutes throughout particular stretches in the effort to get a glimpse of possible lineups and rotations.

This also helps his team get in sync with each other prior to the Rockets’ season opener against the New Orleans Pelicans on Oct. 17 — crushing the majority of their foes in the process.

Houston finished the preseason with a 4-1 record, and averaged almost 118 points per game over the last two weeks, as players such as P.J. Tucker, James Ennis and Carmelo Anthony put together several impressive outings en route to leading Clutch City to double-digit victories.

Can the team that found a way to pick up where they left off a season ago manage to carry the same rhythm heading into the upcoming season? Here are the three takeaways from the Rockets’ most recent preseason.

Home/Houston Rockets