how opponents slow down the Rockets’ offense

It was bad enough when it was Houston Rockets lost at home against their rivals, the San Antonio Spurs. But what followed in the last 10 days was even worse, as the Spurs appeared to have laid out a plan to stop this Rockets team.

Houston led by eight at halftime of that game, before being outscored by 20 in the second half from an eventual double-digit loss. The Rockets scored 36 points in the first quarter, then managed just 37 points in the entire second half.

So what changed? Spurs’ defensive approach.

San Antonio gave up on its defense Amen Thompsoncausing him to shoot. They even assigned Victor Vembanyama to guard Thompson, allowing the defensive star to roam as a free safety. Spurs too descended from Alperen Sengunwhile increasing the pressure on Kevin Durant.

Since then, the formula has expanded.

Houston is coming off back-to-back home losses in which it has failed to reach 100 points. They were chased out of the gym by the Boston Celtics, who used the same strategy, before losing by double digits to the Charlotte Hornets, 24-28.

The Rockets’ problem is the same one that plagued them last year: not enough outside shots.

Houston believed that just bringing in Durant would be enough to fix that, especially with the gap. But that gap shrinks when Thompson doesn’t pay attention to the perimeter. The defense can leave him alone and overload the paint.

Dorian Finney-Smith was also brought in as a shooting helper, but has played in just 18 games and is shooting just 24% from three following a preseason injury.

And while Tarry Eason is shooting a career-best 49% from distance this season, it just wasn’t enough, as he made just 60 3-pointers in the Rockets’ first 50 games, missing time with multiple injuries.

Meanwhile, Sengun is shooting 36% since the Spurs loss, while Thompson is on 44%. I Reed Sheppardwho was expected to provide a boost to the outside shooting this season, is shooting a poor 31% over his last nine games.

Thompson has made just one 3-pointer in his last 11 games, which is why defenses don’t have to worry when the guard has the ball beyond the arc. He’s still on pace to attempt a career-high three-pointer. At times, Houston effectively plays four-on-five in the half court.

The Rockets need to improve their perimeter shooting

The Rockets attempt the second fewest threes in the NBA, offering little threat from the perimeter. As a result, defenders flood the paint and dare Houston to beat them from the outside.

But none of this is new. Golden State employed a similar strategy to knock low-ball Houston out of the playoffs a year ago.

When the Rockets had an opportunity to address their shooting needs in the offseason, they instead poured resources into Clint Capela and Steven Adams, relying on Durant to carry the load.

And when they had a chance to upgrade at this week’s trade deadline, Instead, the rockets stood still. Meanwhile, Durant’s former teammate Tyus Jones (40% 3-point shooter over the previous four seasons) has been moved, as has Luke Kennard (career 44% 3-point shooter) and veteran point guard Jose Alvarado.

And now the frustration seems to be bubbling to the surface. Sengun was ejected from Wednesday’s game for swearing at an official, and then found himself on the receiving end of the heated exchange with a frustrated Durant in Thursday’s loss.

While the Rockets are still fourth in the Western Conference, they are also scoring the second fewest points per game since that Spurs loss, while attempting the fewest 3-pointers in the league. Houston is just 9-8 in their last 17 games with the Oklahoma City Thunder on the road.

The problem is that there is no real solution until the off-season. Houston didn’t hit when it had the chance, much like the perimeter offense.