The second highest net rating, +11 games and 10 wins, the momentum is overwhelming! What are the strengths of the Rockets this season?

After a brief period of adjustment at the beginning of the season, the Rockets have won 10 of the past 11 games with great momentum. So what are the strengths of the Rockets after the lineup change? Is it just because of Durant's joining? This column will help you understand through in-depth data analysis.

The Rockets suffered two consecutive defeats at the start of the season and were full of doubts about the new Rockets. After two consecutive victories, the Rockets have become the team with the fourth highest winning rate in the league. They lost three games by only 1 point, 4 points and 11 points respectively. It can be said that none of them was a defeat. It can also show that even against the league's strong teams, they can fight to the last minute. This season's Rockets have truly become a championship level.

At the same time, the Rockets' net efficiency this season has reached 11.4, which means that the Rockets can beat their opponents by 11.4 points per 100 possessions. This net efficiency ranks second among the 30 teams in the league, second only to the Thunder. These can all show what level the Rockets' offense and defense have reached this season. So where are the Rockets' strengths?

The strong offensive ability is the key to the Rockets' strength this season. Most of the Rockets' main players have reached a state of extremely balanced scoring and non-assist ratios. Among the eight main players of the Rockets who average more than 20 minutes per game, their three-pointers The scoring inside the line with assists and non-assists is relatively close, which means that they can either catch the ball and complete the game, or they can create scores without relying on assists from teammates. Although the starting point guard VanVleet is injured and truce, the Rockets have changed into an offensive mode in which multiple people can hold the ball, making it difficult for opponents to defend.

This way of winning is very unconventional: the Rockets' scoring and assist rate this season has reached the lowest among the 30 teams at only 57.5%, which means that 42.5% of the Rockets' scoring is completed without assists. , it can also be shown that the Rockets are the team that least relies on teammates for scoring this season. The multiple main players have strong independent finishing capabilities, giving everyone in the Rockets room to play. The Rockets' offensive efficiency this season, that is, points per 100 possessions, has reached 123 points, the highest among the 30 teams in the league.

The second key to strength is the magic weapon they rely on for survival: rebounding. The Rockets last season had a strong ability to grab offensive rebounds, and most of Durant's shots this season came from the non-basket three-second zone and the mid-range area. This is very different from Jaylen Green last season. When Durant shoots in this area, the opponent will be in a dilemma: the inside defense will interfere with his shot and he will lose a good rebounding position. If he does not cover Durant, he will finish efficiently.

Of course, in most cases opponents will choose to cover up defense rather than watch Durant score. In addition, Durant's height and wingspan also has rebounding ability, so the Rockets' offensive rebounding rate this season has increased to 40.6% compared to last season's 36.3%, which is also the highest among the 30 teams in the league. This means that when the Rockets miss a shot, 40.6% of the rebounds belong to the Rockets, and a large number of offensive rebounds are converted into more points.

The third key to strength is the offensive ability in the final quarter. In the game against the Cavaliers, Mitchell exploded in the final quarter and scored 19 points. However, the Cavaliers were outnumbered by the Rockets in both scoring and two field goals. The opponent's offense in the final quarter was already extremely powerful, but the Rockets were even better. This is also true this season:

At the end of this season, the Rockets averaged 31.3 points per game, the highest in the league. The two field goal percentages were as high as 53.1% and 49%, ranking second and first in the league respectively. It is not scary to have the highest points per game. What is scary is that while scoring such a high score, the Rockets also have such a high scoring efficiency.

Last season, the Rockets can be said to be one of the teams least capable of playing late ball, but this season they have undergone a qualitative change. On the one hand, the arrival of Durant has changed the team's offensive method and the opponent's defensive strategy. On the other hand, the maturity of Shen Jing and Shepard has brought a qualitative leap to the Rockets.