1 Shocking stat that highlights the Rockets' biggest strength and weakness

The Houston Rockets earn everything they get.

It doesn't come easy for this squad. The Rockets are not flush with potent offensive players. They have lots of talent but don't have a singular offensive force who can carry them on an off night. The Rockets have to bring their fullest effort to every game.

That's easier said than done. Inevitably, an NBA team will run out of steam. When that happens to the Rockets, they struggle to overcome fatigue.

One stat shows exactly how badly they struggle.

Rockets struggle to win in back-to-backs

That's quite the discrepancy.

It's not hard to piece this together. The Rockets' 31.1% Offensive Rebounding % in 2024-25 leads the NBA. They're fifth in the NBA in offensive loose balls recovered per game (2.6 per game). Their 109.5 Defensive Rating lands fourth in the NBA. What do these stats have in common?

They are effort stats. The Rockets haven't been winning games with a sophisticated offensive strategy. They're outworking opponents.

This conversation is largely inspired by the Rockets' Saturday loss to the Jazz. That's a team they're supposed to dominate. On the tail end of a back-to-back, the Rockets couldn't find the energy to beat their lottery-bound rivals. They'd left it all on the floor in their Friday win over the Timberwolves.

It's a blessing and a curse. Who can say which it will be more of when the postseason comes?

Rockets (sort of) built for the postseason

On the one hand, this doesn't feel like a sustainable strategy. Isn't it likely that the Rockets will lose to a team that plays a more reliable brand of offensive basketball?

Sure. On the other hand, teams get more rest during a more forgiving playoff schedule. That should favor the Rockets. Teams will have to face a fresher version of them every night, and they're most vulnerable when fatigued.

Ultimately, this cuts both ways. Broadly speaking, the Rockets aren't going to be serious title contenders until they figure out a consistent method of attacking teams in the halfcourt. They won't be able to rebound, hustle, and defend their way to an NBA championship.

They could win a playoff series that way. The Rockets' first-round opponent should not take them lightly. If they draw an older team in the opening round, it's entirely possible that the Rockets could outwork them en route to a series win.

More broadly, Rockets fans should enjoy this moment. The "hustle first" Rockets may not be around much longer. Plenty of pundits expect this team to make a consolidation trade for a superstar player this summer. That may involve moving some of the players who have helped forge this identity. For now, the Rockets will have to work for whatever success they get.

Luckily, that's something they're used to.