Insanely frustrating stat costs Rockets must-win Game 4

The Houston Rockets are not a good shooting team.

That’s well documented. The Rockets do a lot of things well. They’re big, tough, and physical. They defend well and have some dynamic offensive players. Still, shooting remains an Achilles’ heel.

In Game 4 against the Warriors, that shortcoming cost them dearly. In this 109-106 loss, the Rockets didn’t just struggle from three-point range:

They couldn’t even get baskets from the free-throw line.

Rockets struggle mightily from charity stripe in loss

Houston was a pitiful 19/31 from the free-throw line. They lost by 3.

You do the math.

It’s not reductive to blame this loss on free-throw shooting. It’s simple, but it’s true. If Houston could have capitalized on free throws, it’d have walked away with the win.

Instead, they’re facing a 3-1 deficit heading back to the Toyota Center. It won’t be easy to emerge victorious.

Was there anything encouraging from this game to build on?

Rockets get production across the board

Fred VanVleet found his rhythm. That's a good starting point. It's only unfortunate that the Rockets wasted one of the best games of his career. The veteran point guard had 25 points on 8/13 shooting from the field. Of those 13 field goal attempts, a dozen were three-pointers.

Alperen Sengun stepped up as well. He had 31 points. Sure, his 12/28 shooting from the field was suboptimal, but down the stretch, Sengun looked to make big plays. He did not seem to be afraid of the limelight, which this organization should note, no matter what happens in these playoffs.

The same could be said for Amen Thompson. He's been struggling offensively in this series, but he had 17 points on 7/12 shooting. Like Sengun, Thompson was aggressive down the stretch and almost helped the Rockets secure a win.

Tari Eason played his heart out. Jabari Smith Jr. was once again efficient. Most of the Rockets' rotation players performed well.

One name is conspicuously absent from the list.

Rockets' Jalen Green struggles again

Jalen Green had 8 points.

You don't care about the shooting splits, do you?

He was 3/8. The broader point is that Green didn't do much of anything. That can be said of every game in this series so far, besides one 38-point explosion.

If the Rockets are evaluating these guys based on playoff performances, Green is in trouble. He still has time to boost his stock, but it's running out. If the Rockets lose on Wednesday, their season comes to a close.

Hopefully they can hit a free throw.