Rockets LISTEN: Expectations Shifting at All-Star Break?
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The Houston Rockets find themselves 3.5 games behind the Golden State Warriors for the final spot in the Play-In Tournament going into the All-Star Break.
It's arguably the lowest point the Rockets have been at this season after their loss on Wednesday night to the Memphis Grizzlies.
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On the latest episode of the "Kiss of Death Podcast," I discuss the loss against the Grizzlies and try to re-define expectations for the Rockets' season after the All-Star Break.
While the Rockets are down, they are certainly not out of any postseason race. However, the expectation that Houston will be in the postseason is as low as it has been since the season began. The team has struggled to win on the road, winning just five of their 26 games away from Toyota Center.
However, the team has been stung by the injury bug as of late, specifically with Fred VanVleet. Since VanVleet has been sidelined, the Rockets are 1-4, losing each game by single digits. If VanVleet was on the floor, it's possible the Rockets could reverse a couple of those losses into wins.
The team has also played without Tari Eason, who brings massive energy on both ends of the floor. Eason hasn't played since Jan. 1, when the Rockets were 16-15. They are 9-15 since Eason was sidelined.
Injuries are something the team has no control over, but they can certainly fix the attitude they play with, which has come under fire recently. If the Rockets can play to the level they know they are capable of, they may just sneak back into the playoff race. But if they don't, they will simply have no shot at any postseason this year.
