Rockets Soar After Lakers Win: Can the Struggling Wizards Spark a Home Victory?
Houston Rockets vs. Washington Wizards: Can the Rockets Extend Their Winning Streak?
The Houston Rockets (23-12 SU) are on the road Tuesday to face the Washington Wizards (6-27 SU) at Capital One Arena, with tip-off scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET. The game provides the Rockets with an opportunity to extend their current hot streak, while the Wizards will look to break free from their ongoing struggles.
Rockets Riding High After Win Over Lakers
Houston enters this matchup following a hard-fought 119-115 victory against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday. The win allowed them to bounce back from a narrow loss to Boston earlier in the week. Led by Jalen Green, who exploded for 33 points, the Rockets displayed resilience in multiple areas. Notably, they won the rebounding battle decisively with a +10 rebounding margin, including 18 offensive boards. Their paint dominance (+12 scoring margin in the paint) was another key factor in the victory.
Green, who leads the Rockets in scoring with 20.0 points per game, has been a standout performer for Houston this season. But he’s not alone. Alperen Sengun, who is averaging a double-double (18.8 PPG, 10.4 RPG), continues to shine in the post, while Fred VanVleet (14.8 PPG, 5.8 APG) brings leadership and playmaking to the backcourt. Additionally, veteran wing Dillon Brooks (13.7 PPG) has contributed with solid defense and scoring.
One of the primary reasons Houston has surprised many this season is their stellar defense. Ranked 3rd in defensive rating (105.5 points allowed per 100 possessions) and 12th in offensive rating, the Rockets have been able to balance both ends of the floor effectively. This defensive prowess has allowed them to hold opponents to just 106.7 points per game (3rd in the league) while still scoring at an efficient clip of 112.3 points per game (12th).
Can the Wizards Find Some Spark at Home?
Washington, on the other hand, has been mired in a difficult season, sitting at just 6-27 on the year. In their most recent game, a 110-98 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, the Wizards struggled mightily. Shooting a dismal 26.8% (11-41) from beyond the arc and committing 16 turnovers, they were unable to keep up with a potent Pelicans offense that connected on 18 three-pointers and shot 90% (18-20) from the free-throw line.
Despite their offensive struggles, the Wizards did manage to score 48 points in the paint, showcasing their ability to attack the basket. Still, it wasn’t enough as their inability to slow down New Orleans’ perimeter game proved costly. Washington has now dropped four of their last five games and has struggled to find consistency on either end of the floor.
Jordan Poole remains the focal point for the Wizards, averaging 21.8 points per game, with 5.0 assists. The dynamic scorer has been their offensive engine, but he has often lacked sufficient help. Kyle Kuzma (15.4 PPG, 5.4 RPG) and Bilal Coulibaly (12.8 PPG, 5.5 RPG) are solid contributors, but there is a need for more balanced production to keep up with teams like the Rockets.
Defensively, the Wizards have been a mess this season, ranking dead last in both NET rating and defensive rating. Their opponents have been putting up 121.9 points per game (worst in the NBA), and their inability to defend the three-point line (opponents shoot 47.2% from the field, 21st in the league) has compounded their woes.
Conclusion
While Washington has the home court advantage, their inconsistent play and porous defense put them at a significant disadvantage against a much stronger Houston squad. The Rockets are firing on all cylinders, especially on the defensive end, and their rebounding and paint scoring will likely be too much for the Wizards to handle. Unless Washington can find a way to contain Houston’s scorers and shore up their own offensive inefficiency, expect the Rockets to extend their win streak with another convincing victory on the road.
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