For the second time in their past three home games, the Houston Rockets endured a defeat that showcased what has become a glaring defensive deficiency.
In a 123-117 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday, the Rockets surrendered 19 3-pointers on 44.2 percent shooting from behind the arc. On Dec. 20, the Atlanta Hawks snapped the Rockets’ 11-game home winning streak by shooting 17 of 40 (42.5 percent) on 3-point attempts.
What has become problematic for Houston, which will host the scuffling Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, is an ability to defend perimeter-oriented teams that opt to slip screens. It was an issue for the Rockets earlier in the season, but one they seemed to rectify.
However, six days after the Hawks torched Houston from deep, the Pacers started 6-for-6 from 3-point range and went 11-for-22 from long distance in the first half.
For every moment the Rockets managed a rally, the Pacers answered with a 3-pointer, often an uncontested look from a capable shooter. Tyrese Haliburton was the beneficiary of Houston’s specific defensive struggles, drilling 7 of 13 3-point tries en route to a game-high 33 points. His trey with 1:03 remaining put the Pacers up for good at 120-117.
The Suns took a 128-114 home loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Christmas, Phoenix’s ninth loss in 12 games following a seven-game winning streak that left the team a season-high five games over .500. An inability to cultivate any semblance of consistency continues to stall the Suns, whose injury concerns remain at the heart of their ongoing woes.
Phoenix remains without Bradley Beal (ankle), who has logged only six games this season, and was also missing Jusuf Nurkic (personal) against the Mavericks. Beyond Beal, the injury issues haven’t been overly debilitating but rather a constant nuisance, with the Suns laboring to construct a set rotation that can compete with the heavyweights in the Western Conference.
The early-season struggles have yielded a fair share of think pieces contemplating what ails Phoenix. For their part, the Suns have yet to display any signs of panic despite everything that’s gone awry.
