Led by perennial All-Star and MVP candidate Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets entered Friday averaging more than 112 points per game. In Houston’s dominant win at Toyota Center, the Rockets limited Denver to a season-low scoring total of 86 points.
It’s the second time in under two weeks that Houston has defeated the reigning NBA champions, with both coming as part of an eight-game home winning streak. Jokic did have 38 points, 19 rebounds, and 8 assists, but the star big man was relatively inefficient with 14-of-31 shooting (45.2%) and three turnovers.
“We kind of guarded Jokić one-on-one and kept everybody else in check,” said head coach Ime Udoka, who often used Alperen Sengun for that role. “That ended up being a good strategy for us.”
Through 14 games, the Rockets (8-6) lead the NBA in defensive rating (106.8). It’s quite a turnaround after finishing last season second-to-last in defensive rating under Stephen Silas, Udoka’s predecessor. The additions of defensive minded veterans, led by Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks, have certainly made an impact, but Houston’s revamped schemes appear to be playing an important role, as well.
Good example why the Rockets went from the worst defense in the league: years running to a top rank defense this season. Multiple defensive efforts m(specifically Jalen Green)and not leaving teammates out to dry. pic.twitter.com/xUBvgy9StK
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) November 25, 2023
“In general, a lot of the switching is giving teams trouble,” Udoka told Kelly Iko of The Athletic. “We try to make teams beat us one-on-one and take them out of their original sets and plays.”
“But more so than anything is the mentality shift,” Udoka said of Houston’s change entering 2023-24. “Everybody has to guard. You don’t want to be the weak link out there on the chain.”
Houston hopes to keep that same energy when the schedule resumes on Tuesday night in Dallas. If the Rockets (8-6, 2-1 during in-season tournament play) can defeat the Mavericks (10-5, 1-2), Houston would win its group outright and advance to the quarterfinals.
When the Rockets get to switching with precision and pressuring with aggression, it's tough for even the most formidable of teams. Houston's defense is legit. https://t.co/7E0VS4I4fu
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) November 25, 2023
