Rockets fail to shake disastrous old habits in brutal loss to Pistons

As the Houston Rockets fell to the Detroit Pistons, 111-115, in their second game of the season, the old habits that limited them last season, and ultimately led to their playoff demise in the first round, came back to haunt them.

With Fred VanVleet out for the season, the team struggled yet again to reliably move the ball, causing turnovers and rough possessions, and a weak shooting night almost kept them out of the game entirely.

Even with Kevin Durant on the roster, the team looks to have not yet entirely taken a step forward from the chaotic, defensive game that defined them last season, and they must do so if they aim to compete in an overwhelmingly skilled Western Conference this season.

Rockets still look inefficient and scattered on offense in loss to Pistons

In their season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder, which they dropped 124-125 in a double-OT thriller, many of the conerns that analysts had about the team with VanVleet out were on full display.

Both Thompson and Sheppard struggled to keep the ball under control, and, while Durant was able to get to his spots, his performance alone ultimately was not enough to elevate the team to a victory.

Now, in an overwhelmingly physical and foul-ridden game against Detroit, these same problems reared their ugly heads yet again.

They shot just 32-83 from the floor on the night, rehashing the spacing struggles that plagued them in their first game as well.

While Houston limited their turnovers compared to their first game, only amassing 13 throughout the course of the night, they were often careless with the ball, giving it up in transition and succumbing to pressure that the Pistons placed on them while they were bringing the ball up the floor.

Moreover, even with them starting the double-big lineup for the second straight matchup and both Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart leaving the game early, they struggled to control the boards, losing the rebound battle 57-61.

Yet, one thing that Houston can always count on is their ability to participate in a slugfest, and the Pistons granted them that wholeheartedly. The first half alone took well over an hour as the two teams traded fouls, and, although Houston still ultimately lost the game, they were helped tremendously by a poor night from the line by the opposing team.

If the Rockets hope to have any chance to compete, they must shake off this portion of their old identity, limiting mistakes and chaos as they allow their new star, Durant, to take the reins of the offense.