The Houston Rockets were in rebuilding mode a couple of seasons ago, and now it seems as if they’re in contending mode.
Houston has won four games in a row — the last two over the Memphis Grizzlies — and sits second overall in the Western Conference heading into its game at the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night.
The Rockets had only 22 wins two seasons ago, nearly doubled that with 41 last season, and now have 26 in just 38 games — a pace that would lead to 56 victories. They have won five of their past six and have not lost more than two in a row this season.
But they’re not satisfied with what they’ve accomplished.
“We can improve vastly still, and that’s the good part about it,” Houston coach Ime Udoka said after his team rallied to beat Memphis 120-118 on Monday night. “We know we can get so much better, and that’s why we’re excited about where we’re at and where we can get to.”
The Rockets’ success has been due in part to their balance. Seven players are averaging in double figures in scoring, led by Jalen Green at 21 points a game. Alperen Sengun is averaging a double-double with 19.3 points and 10.4 rebounds, and Fred VanVleet is third on the team in scoring at 15 points a game.
Wednesday night will see the first of three games this season between the teams and the only one in Denver. The Rockets won three of the four meetings last season.
The Nuggets are coming off sweeping two games in Dallas, including a 118-99 win on Tuesday night when Jamal Murray scored a season-high 45 points and Nikola Jokic notched his 16th triple-double of the season.
Denver has won its past four games to move a season-high nine games over .500, and Murray, who had 32 points in the first half, said the team will keep winning if he can continue to play well.
“Games like this, when I’m on, there’s nothing to worry about. When Joke’s going, he’s going, but the team feels like when I’m going there’s nothing to worry about, we just have to play defense,” Murray told the TNT broadcast post-game.
“I played terrible up until (Tuesday). I’ve struggled. The season is about weathering storms, and let’s take this as a positive and keep moving. We’re all looking to keep this momentum going and get a win (Wednesday).”
Murray’s big night raised his season scoring average to 19.8, second behind Jokic’s. A three-time league MVP, Jokic is third in the NBA in scoring (30.6 points a game) and rebounding (13.2) and second in assists with 9.9 per game.
Michael Porter Jr. is third on the team in scoring at 18.7 points a game.
Tuesday’s 10-point, 14-rebound, 10-assist effort gave Jokic the 146th triple-double in his career, and according to NBA.com, he is the fastest player in NBA history to reach 15,000 points, 7,500 rebounds and 5,000 assists for his career. He did it in 709 games while Larry Bird, who had the record before him, did it in 799 games.