Houston Rockets' Road Struggles Starting to Bring Frustration: 'We Are Not Accepting That'

After falling to the Los Angeles Lakers Saturday night, frustration is building amid the Houston Rockets' road struggles.

HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets concluded their three-game road trip Saturday night in a 107-97 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. With the loss, the Rockets are still the only team in the league without a road victory.

The Rockets have started the 2023-24 season with a 0-8 record away from Toyota Center. And following their subpar performance inside the Crypto.com Arena, frustration is starting to build.  

"We understand if we were halfway decent on the road, we would be one of the better teams in the league," Fred VanVleet said. "We are missing opportunities. But then again, it's called growing pains for a reason. However, we are not accepting that."

The Rockets are 8-1 at home. But during their eight-game road losing streak, they have shown signs of reverting to the team that won 22 games last season.

Rockets guard Fred VanVleet is tripped up in front of Dallas Mavericks forward Derrick Jones Jr. and guard Luka Doncic / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

On the road, the Rockets have scored an average of 108.0 points while posting an offensive rating of 109.5. Houston has posted the league's seventh-worst defense by recording a defensive rating of 118.8. 

During their recent three-game road trip, Houston gave up an average of 120.7 points. The Rockets gave up a season-high 134 points in a loss to the Denver Nuggets on Nov. 29, a team they beat by an average margin of 11 points in two games at home.

"We need to figure out what are the things we are lacking when we go on the road," Jeff Green said. "It takes all of us. It is not going to be one person who turns this around. The coaches are putting us in the right positions. But as a team, we haven't brought it on the road."

As a result of their In-Season Tournament elimination Tuesday night in Dallas, the Rockets will return to the Toyota Center Wednesday for their first regular-season meeting against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

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