After a 3-0 week with victories over two Western Convention playoff contenders, the Memphis Grizzlies (24-14) and the Los Angeles Lakers (20-16), the Houston Rockets (25-14) sitting alone in second place within the West rating.
Now, because the 2024-25 NBA season nears its midway level, a lot of these performances are attracting extra consideration across the league.
Within the newest version of the weekly energy rankings by John Schuhmann of NBA.comHouston is ranked 4th within the league, which matches its document in comparison with different groups.
Schuhmann’s takeaways embrace:
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The successful streak was the Rockets’ greatest three-game offensive streak this season (125.6 factors scored per 100 possessions). Jalen Inexperienced averaged a comparatively environment friendly 29.7 factors over the three video games, with the wins over the Lakers and Grizzlies being simply the seventh and eighth instances this season the place he made no less than half of his pictures.
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The Rockets proceed to dominate the possession battle. They’d seven fewer turnovers and 6 extra offensive rebounds than the Grizzlies on Thursday and have averaged 9.9 extra shot alternatives than their opponents over their final 10 video games. Their season-long differential (6.5 plus per sport) could be the third-largest of any crew over the previous 26 seasons, trailing solely the final two Toronto groups for which Rockets guard Fred VanVleet performed.
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Though the offense has improved, the Rockets’ 4 video games with out Jabari Smith Jr. (fractured hand) have been their worst four-game stretch on protection this season (117.8 allowed per 100 possessions). Their opponents shot a lot better within the paint, and so they additionally noticed an enormous drop in defensive rebounding share.
In a caveat, Schuhmann notes that Houston is anticipated to play seven of its subsequent 9 video games in opposition to groups ranked within the high eight offensively. Until the protection improves, this might put much more stress on Inexperienced to keep up his just lately excessive offensive ranges.
As predicted by the information, the one groups forward of the Rockets on this rating are the No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers (33-5); the No. 2 Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (32-6); and the No. 3 Boston Celtics (28-11). The entire rating might be seen right here.
The fourth place rating is Houston’s highest because it was third on Dec. 2. six weeks in the past. For the reason that calendar turned to 2025, the Rockets have gained 4 out of 5 video games general.
Extra: Jalen Inexperienced steps in in fourth quarter as Rockets edge Memphis and prolong No. 2 seed’s lead
This text was initially revealed on Rockets Wire: After an ideal week, the Rockets climb to 4th within the NBA energy rankings
