BOSTON — The Houston Rockets have emerged as one of the NBA’s more unexpected contenders this season. Their recent performances suggest they should no longer be underestimated.
Last week, the Rockets recorded two victories against the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers before heading to Boston, where they secured a narrow 114-112 win over the defending champion Celtics on Monday night.
Houston’s head coach, Ime Udoka, commented on their success, noting, “We’re over halfway through now and our record is what it is, so it’s not just a fluke or anything. People watch film and see the physicality and the way that we play; it’s a little different from the rest of the league, maybe that catches people off guard initially, but I wouldn’t say we’re sneaking up on anybody anymore at this point in the season.”
With a record of 31-14, the Rockets are positioned second in the Western Conference, having achieved nine victories in their last 11 contests. Their winning percentage slightly surpasses that of the reigning NBA champion Celtics, who stand at 32-15.
Before facing Houston, the Cavaliers and Celtics had amassed an impressive combined record of 104-28 (.788). The Rockets made history by becoming the first team ever to win three consecutive games against opponents with such a high winning percentage, provided each had played a minimum of 40 games, according to OptaSTATS.
The pivotal moment of the game in Boston came when Amen Thompson scored a floater over Jaylen Brown with just 0.7 seconds remaining, clinching the victory. “We feel like we can beat anybody, and this road trip is really proving that,” Thompson expressed after the game.
The Rockets, featuring a well-rounded team with talents like Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, veteran Fred VanVleet, Thompson, and Dillon Brooks, have found their groove since suffering a significant 23-point loss to the Celtics at home on January 3.
“We don’t like to lose at home, especially to the Celtics,” Thompson said. “We just come in here every day and we just try to win.”
Other teams in the league are taking notice of Houston’s performance. Following the Cavaliers’ impressive 19-point victory over Detroit, they were spotted reviewing the Rockets’ recent win during their postgame discussions.
“We’re just playing hard, playing together,” stated Brooks, who scored 36 points in the game against Boston, including an impressive 10-of-15 shooting from beyond the arc. “We have trust in one another,” he added, highlighting the team’s strong chemistry.
The Rockets’ confidence is palpable, but they realize that a series of impressive wins holds little value if they cannot continue that momentum. Their next opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities will come Tuesday night against Atlanta.
“Playing some of the top teams obviously gives us some confidence,” Udoka noted, emphasizing the importance of facing elite competition.
