Since the All-Star break, the Houston Rockets have recorded an NBA-best 20-4 record, propelling them to 3rd in the Western Conference. Danuel House Jr. continues to thrive off the bench with his consistent play, dropping 13 points and six rebounds apiece against the Clippers and Suns last week.
Bench Presence
House has led the Rockets bench in scoring in 9 of their last 12 games. He leads the team in three-point shooting percentage at 42.5% and is 2nd to Clint Capela in TS% and eFG% at 65.5% and 62.5%, respectively (minimum 2 min played). House’s ability to shoot the three ball effectively at this volume (5.5 3PA last 12 games) has lifted the bench. House is also making a name for himself on the team as an above the rim player with his high-flying dunks and lob catching. Just take a look at this “SCtop10” dunk that he had Tuesday night against the Sacramento Kings:
https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1113293316987260929
Winning Games
Since House’s return from the G-league on March 15th, the Rockets have won 11 of their last 13 games. The Rockets also have a record of 10-3 when House is in the starting lineup. There’s simply no coincidence here. When House is on the floor, the Rockets are a better team and win more games. He has stepped up big in an already crowded bench that includes Austin Rivers, Gerald Green, Iman Shumpert, and Kenneth Faried. House, this season, is averaging 9.6 points per game while shooting an impressive 47.6% from the field. The Rockets, as of late, have a winning formula and it most certainly includes Danuel House.
The Perfect Fit
In a postgame interview about three weeks ago, House told reporters that his mother said, “don’t be a volume shooter, be a (shot) maker.” So far, he’s done both for the Rockets as a volume shooter and a shot maker. House’s ability to shoot the three ball and attack the rim off the dribble has made him a perfect fit for the Rockets’ style of basketball.
With just one game left in the regular season, the Rockets have clinched the Southwest division. They are currently sitting in 3rd seed and are just half a game behind the Denver Nuggets. Houston can clinch the 2 seed with a win on the road and a Denver loss. The Rockets, who are currently on a six-game win streak, play the Oklahoma City Thunder on the road tomorrow night to close out the regular season.
