National Basketball Association

Lessons learned in Houston Rockets games 11-20 of 2015-16

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Houston Rockets spent the 2015-16 season mired in being consistently inconsistent. Each 10 game segment took on it’s own personality.

Next up lets examine Houston Rockets games 11 through 20. This second segment of ten games by the

Nov 18, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets head coach J.B. Bickerstaff talks to an official in the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Toyota Center. The Rockets won in overtime 108-103. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

squad was earmarked by the firing of head coach Kevin McHale. Like the first 10 games H-Town continued to struggle against lesser competition.

After a slow start to the season James Harden finally raised his game play. Then again, if rumors Harden had a hand in McHale’s firing he had no choice but to back up his end of the deal.

Game 11, Boston Celtics: 95-111 loss

While the Celtics would end up being a playoff team they were still finding their footing early in the season. Still, another loss of double digits and their fourth consecutive pointed to mounting issues. Find the full review here along with Celtics roster changes and dates the 2 teams play this season here .

Game 12, Portland Blazers: 108-103 win

Prior to this game Kevin McHale was fired and J.B. Bickerstaff was anointed as interim head coach. In what became a repeating tendency of the season the Houston Rockets played great teams well. Thus was the case in this meeting with the Blazers though it took overtime to decide the contest. Find the full game review along with Blazers roster changes and dates the 2 teams play this season here.

Game 13, Memphis Grizzlies: 84-96 loss

With his first win out of the way interim coach Bickerstaff began his roller coaster season with the Houston Rockets. The squad promptly evened his standings launching into what was the another 3-game losing streak. Major issues on defense reared their ugly head as James Harden often was caught napping. Find the full game review along with Grizzlies roster changes and dates the 2 teams play this season here.

Game 14, New York Knicks: 102-107 loss

Houston’s learned early lessons on not to take less competitive teams for granted, but this loss to the Knicks indicated they weren’t great students. Rookie Kristaps Porzingis put on an impressive display in this outing. Find the full game review along with Knicks roster changes and dates the 2 teams play this season here.

Game 15, Memphis Grizzlies: 93-102 loss

This was the second meeting versus the Grizzlies of the early season ending in the same result; another loss. While Memphis dealt with on court injuries throughout the year it was the Rockets who dealt with off court malaise. On the court the Rockets showcased basic errors like not contesting shots. Fans frustration mounted as lack of effort wasn’t something they expected. Find the full game review along with Grizzlies roster changes and dates the 2 teams play this season here.

Game 16, Philadelphia 76ers: 116-114 win

While the win was a positive, the fact Houston got it by a meager 2 point margin highlighted problems. Case in point, Philadelphia was lottery bound finishing with just 10 victories last year. Repeatedly the Rockets would take lower seeded teams for granted, and this squeaker win just punctuated that fact. Find the full game review along with Sixers roster changes and dates the 2 teams play this season here.

Game 17, New York Knicks: 116-111 win

Fortunately the Rockets were able to utilize their short term memory skills to beat a team they should. Never mind the Knicks took their first contest, at least the Rockets split the series. This also was the first time since early in the season the squad had put together back to back wins. Find the full game review along with Knicks roster changes and dates the 2 teams play this season here.

Game 18, Detroit Pistons: 105-116 loss

Unfortunately the Rockets weren’t able to extend their win streak against another team they should have beat. Both previous wins took late game heroics in order for the Rockets to get the victories. Though franchise star James Harden had posted some heady numbers he was coughing up the ball far too often.. And, those untimely turnovers were hurting the team. Find the full game review along with Knicks roster changes and dates the 2 teams play this season here.

Game 19, New Orleans Pelicans: 108-101 win

Both squads entered the year with optimism given their playoff run. This feelings quickly turned to concern as neither were performing well in the first quarter of the season. Fortunately, the Rockets were able to get the better of the Pelicans on this night. Find the full game review along with Pelicans roster changes and dates the 2 teams play this season here.

Game 20, Dallas Mavericks: 100-96 win

This Rockets squad clearly was not going to follow any typical form. In their first meeting of the season Dallas beat Houston despite missing 2 starters (Nowitzki and Matthews). In this the 20th game of the Rockets season they played a full complement of Mavs, but got the win. Find the full game review along with Mavericks roster changes and dates the 2 teams play this season here.

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In review of the second 10 games of 2015-16 specific tendencies were solidly forming. Houston repeatedly would let teams in games, not bring effort and their defense had regressed dramatically from the season prior. It was clear the squad had assumed they could rely on their laurels and not done the necessary off season work.

Next up, a look at Rockets games 21 through 30 of 2015-16