Rockets 'Completely Different Team' From Season-Opening Loss to Magic

The Houston Rockets believe they are a "completely different team" from their season-opening loss to the Orlando Magic.

Oct 25, 2023; Orlando, Florida, USA; Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) shoots the ball against / Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports

HOUSTON — A five-game losing streak following a loss to the Dallas Mavericks ended the Houston Rockets' Play-In Tournament hopes Sunday afternoon. But with four games left into the 2023-24 season, finishing the year with their first winning record in the post-James-Harden era is still an important feat.

"It is super important," Jalen Green said. "The goal now, since playoffs are pretty much over, is to finish above .500. I think we showed a lot of growth this year. We have grown together as a team, from the first game until now. We just want to finish above .500 and get ready for next year."

Tuesday will mark the Rockets' final interconference match of the season. They will take on the Orlando Magic, currently No. 3 in the Eastern Conference with a 46-32 record.

Although both teams have embarked on its respective paths since their season opener on Oct. 25, the Rockets believe they are a "completely different team" when compared to their 116-86 loss to the Magic inside the Kia Center.

Green finished the game with 10 points on 2 of 10 shooting from the field in the early season loss against the Magic. Across 19 games since March 2, Green has since averaged 26.2 points on 47.3 percent shooting.

Oct 25, 2023; Orlando, Florida, USA; Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) shoots the ball against / Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports

At the time, the Rockets appeared to have made significant improvements during training camp — individually and as a unit — but reverted to their old habits against the Magic.

Turnovers was a top objective for coach Ime Udoka when it came to helping the Rockets break old habits. Houston finished the 2022-23 season with the league's second-most turnovers, averaging 16.2. Against the Magic, the Rockets surpassed their season average by committing 19 turnovers, 11 came within the first half.

Despite its 22-60 record, Houston was one of the top rebounding teams in the league. The Rockets averaged 46.3 last season. But Houston began the second phase of their rebuilding project, getting outrebounded 57-31.

Opening night was a huge flop for the Rockets. But six months later, Houston has improved in the areas that led to its first loss.

"We are a night and day team from that, as far as who we are and what we are trying to do," Udoka said. "Guys have grown tremendously. We did not bring our best foot forward earlier in the season. We are a totally different team."

Udoka said from the moment the Rockets fell to the Magic, he marked April 9 as a way to measure the team's growth.

The Rockets will end their first season under Udoka, ranked ninth for the fewest turnovers with an average of 12.8. Houston also re-established itself as one of the best rebounding teams in the league, averaging 45.4 boards, ranked third only behind the Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics.

Despite riding a five-game losing streak, the Rockets still have one of the league's best records post-All-Star break. A 13-2 record in March has the Rockets with the league's 10th-best record at 24-14.

"Finishing the season with a winning record is big going into the summer," Jabari Smith Jr. said. "We have a chance to go into the season with confidence. Just trying to put a few more good games together before the end of the season."