The Houston Rockets are looking to fix their late-game struggles as they prepare to face the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday. In their recent games, the Rockets have had trouble finishing strong, especially in the final minutes.
Against the Miami Heat on Sunday, the Rockets blew a 12-point lead in the second half and scored just 18 points in the fourth quarter. Most of those points came late in the game when the outcome was already decided. They struggled to make shots, finishing 6-for-25 in the fourth quarter.
This was similar to their collapse against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday, where they gave up a 16-point lead in the last five minutes.
Houston’s shooting has been a major issue. They rank near the bottom in the NBA for 3-point shooting percentage (32.7%). When their outside shots aren’t falling, teams are crowding the paint, making it harder for players like Jalen Green to drive to the basket, and doubling Alperen Sengun to limit his post moves. This has led to poor finishes in games.
“Scoring at the end in both of those games obviously stands out, and that’s something that has to be addressed,” coach Ime Udoka said.
“We are guarding well enough to hold Minnesota to 100 until they go on their run, but we are struggling to score at the end. And so that’s something that needs to be solved.”
Houston will be without Amen Thompson for Wednesday’s game after he was suspended for two games due to his role in a scuffle against Miami.
The Mavericks, meanwhile, are also dealing with injury problems. In their recent 110-100 loss to the Sacramento Kings, Dallas played without four key players: Luka Dončić, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, and Dereck Lively II. Despite the missing players, Dallas fought hard but lost for the third time in their last four games.
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said, “We felt confident with the group we went out there with (on Monday). We’re just trying to find a way with the bodies that we have.”
With several players injured, Kidd has been relying heavily on P.J. Washington and Spencer Dinwiddie, who combined for 58 points in the loss to Sacramento.
