The Rockets’ first back-to-back reveals three big concerns

The Houston Rockets‘hot start represented the part in which they played the fewest matches in the league and none in consecutive days.

That changed this week, as the calendar shifted to December, with The Rockets’ first consecutive match a test that reveals several concerns going forward.

Rockets fight without Steven Adams in the back

The Rockets have built their identity around offensive rejection. They lead the league in that category, and Steven Adams has solidified the effort and ranks first in the NBA in offensive boards. That physicality fuels Houston’s No. 2 offensive ranking.

But in retrospect, the Rockets rested Adams — and his absence was evident. Without him, Houston got the better of the Utah Jazz on Monday, just one night after dominating them on the glass, 50-33, in a 129-101 win.

In the first match, Adams grabbed 12 rebounds in just 17 minutes. But instead of him, Clint Capela registered minus-10 in just nine minutes, but failed to score.

Without Adam’s defense and second-chance offense, the Rockets were outscored on the glass and on the scoreboard, 133-125, in the encore. The 133 points allowed was a season high.

Another concern as the schedule ramps up is the workload on the Rockets’ 37-year-old star. Kevin Durant, who is already posting his worst offensive numbers shot just 10-for-25 from the floor in the second game. How will his legs hold up as the season and back-to-backs progress?

Reed Shepard’s growing workload shows potential limitations

Reed Shepard’s workload also raises eyebrows, but for different reasons. Now in its second season, Shepard is logging another minute than ever before. In his young career, he has exceeded 28 minutes only twice in a two-day period

He just played 55 minutes in his last back-to-back, the most minutes he’s ever logged in the NBA over a two-day period.

After averaging 17 points per game in his previous 10 games, Shepard shot just 3-of-8 on Monday, finishing with just nine points.

The former No. 3 draft pick is being asked to take on his biggest role yet, which may just be asking too much of him right now.

Missile defense problems are becoming more visible

The The Rockets defense has regressed this season as they became more of an offensive team. But the problems could become even bigger during the successive ones.

With tired legs and without Adams inside, the Rockets committed a season-high 26 fouls, up from 18 the night before.

Houston, which has struggled to defend the three-point line all year, allowed Utah, the fourth-worst three-point shooting team in the league, to shoot 40% from deep.

In their first back-to-back games of the season, the Rockets surrendered a season-high number of points. That’s probably not a coincidence.

This back-to-back didn’t even involve any additional travel, as both games were played in Utah. You never want to go overboard on one loss, especially in the run-up to Christmas. But the schedule will become more challenging as the season progresses. Houston has failed the first test so far.