Rockets Loss to Pacers Highlight Two Vital Characteristics Ahead of Trade Deadline

The Houston Rockets' loss to the Indiana Pacers highlighted two important characteristics ahead of the NBA's in-season trade deadline.

The Houston Rockets played their final game ahead of the league's in-season trade deadline. The Rockets will be one of the most active teams hoping to boost their roster, as they currently sit two spots outside of the NBA's Play-In Tournament with a 23-27 record.

Houston's most recent loss came Tuesday night during a 132-129 defeat to the Indiana Pacers inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Their 18th road loss of the season emphasized two vital characteristics coach Ime Udoka feels will determine how aggressive the Rockets will be at the deadline — three-point shooting and health. 

Rockets head coach Ime Udoka questions a referee as his team plays the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first quarter at Target Center / Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

"I think you look to improve in all those areas where you’re lacking," Udoka said. "Three-point shooting is one, versatility at the big spots is one. But we mainly want to rely on what we have and get healthy, first, and see what this whole group looks like." 

"We’ve had that for maybe 10 games with Tari, Dillon [Brooks], Jabari [Smith Jr.], and everybody healthy at the same time. And now, with the improvements of the young guys, we’ve got real depth. Guys will be fighting for minutes and opportunities."

The Rockets took on the Pacers with two prominent rotational players sidelined, Tari Eason and Fred VanVleet. They played well without their respective contributions. However, Houston's lackluster 3-point shooting thwarted its chances against the Pacers.

They finished the game shooting 48.0 percent from behind the arc, but most of their success came in the first half. Houston held a 75-68 halftime lead after shooting 66.7 percent from deep.

Unfortunately, the Rockets' 3-point shooting declined during the second half, where the Pacers outscored them by 10 points (64-54). Houston missed nine of their 13 triples and are currently the league's fifth-worst 3-point shooting team (35.2 3PT%).

The Rockets have several candidates who could be on the move before Thursday's deadline, headlined by Jae'Sean Tate.

According to Kelly Iko of The Athletic, the Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns have expressed trade interest in the versatile forward. Tate signed with the Rockets as an undrafted free agent following the 2020 NBA Draft. He has since appeared in 224 games, averaging 9.8 points and 4.7 rebounds.

"They have all been through this for the most part," Udoka said. "Jae'Sean and Aaron [Holiday], guys whose names have been in rumors every other year, could be a voice. You just have to deal with it. Continue to play. And more often than not, nothing happens. Everybody's names come up eventually." 

Rockets' Amen Thompson Displays Two-Way Potential in Loss vs. Pacers

The Rockets entered the trade season with a significant need for a backup center. They solved their need on Feb. 1 after sending Victor Oladipo and three second-round picks to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for center Steven Adams.

Unfortunately, the Rockets will have to wait until the start of the 2024-25 season before Adams can play a game for Houston. Before the start of the 2023-24 season, Adams sustained a PCL injury in his right knee, which required season-ending surgery in October.

Adams has been one of the league's top enforcers since making his debut as a first-round pick by the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2013 NBA Draft. He has averaged 9.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.0 block across 706 career games.