Just when many thought the playoffs were set, the Houston Rockets got hot and are giving the Golden State Warriors a run for the final play-in. It’s been a scorching March for the Rockets, finishing with a record of 13-2 capped by an 11-game win streak. This led to head coach, Ime Udoka, winning Western Conference Coach of the Month.

What Sparked the Run?

Houston’s hot streak may have technically begun on March 8th when they got an away win against the Trail Blazers. But others may argue it started the game before when they lost to the Clippers- sounds weird but let’s explain.

Houston played a Wednesday night game against the Clippers on ESPN in front of a national audience. And in hindsight, the Rockets deserved to win the game. After getting up 8-7 early, Houston would hold the lead for the entire game. That is until with 2:48 left in the game, Paul George and Kawhi Leonard decided to heat up and ice the ending for a 122-116 victory.

Yet, it was the way the Rockets played throughout that had fans saying things like “who are these guys?”. With a starting five of Jabari Smith, Dillon Brooks, Fred VanVleet, Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green- the Rockets are a young team with veteran experience sprinkled throughout.

Over the next 3 weeks, Houston showed how dangerous they can be. They won 11 straight games behind dominant performances from the former #2 overall pick, Jalen Green.

Jalen Green’s Surge

Jalen Green had a spectacular month of March. The #9 rated preseason SG, Green averaged 27.7 points per game to go along with 6.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists. Green also had a crazy high average plus/minus of +15 throughout the month. He probably would’ve won Western Conference player of the month had Luka Doncic not been playing at such a high level.

Over the course of the winning streak, Green had a 41 and 42-point game. He also had two 37-point games and threatened a triple-double with one. He’s been taking almost 10 threes a game and is hitting them at a 45% clip, which is way up from his career 34%.

Jalen Green and the Rockets have faced a lot of criticism over his first two seasons in the league. He’s had a low efficiency and high turnover rate, while not providing much on the defensive end so far in his career. However, this recent run is getting fans excited and wondering what his ceiling could be. Can he be THE guy? Can he handle the keys to a franchise? Green is showing that he maybe can right now. Albeit a small sample size, it’s nice to see Jalen showing his potential.

However, Shams Charania reported on March 25th that the Nets turned down Green + multiple first round picks for Mikal Bridges. While it may become a trade the Nets could regret not taking in the future, it’s still worth noting that this recent production could just be a mirage. Should the Rockets trade Green this offseason? His value could be as high as it could ever get.

More Draymond Green Drama

Perhaps the most interesting story to develop throughout the Rockets winning streak is that it coincided with a lackadaisical 6-6 stretch from the Golden State Warriors. It has many NBA fans wondering if the Rockets can eliminate the Warriors and take the final play-in spot. Of course, Warriors captain Draymond Green isn’t worried.

Green reportedly said during the tail end of the Rockets winning streak that he “doesn’t give a damn” about Houston. Also saying that he and the Warriors just need to take care of their own business.

Taking care of business is what the “Dubs” have been doing for the past decade, and a recent 4 game winning streak reflects their experience. But the Rockets are still only 2 games back from Golden State, and a nearby April 4th matchup will have huge implications for both sides.

Draymond, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and the Warriors need to step up and fend off the Rockets for the final play-in before they can set their sights on possibly another title run.

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