Ariza blames Rockets' slump on 'slacking'
Ten games into 2015-16, the Houston Rockets are having a bizarre season.
It began with three straight losses, followed by four consecutive wins. Now, the team has dropped three in a row again. After Saturday's loss to the Dallas Mavericks, small forward Trevor Ariza said the team is slacking off.
"We have to play harder and we have to give extra effort," Ariza told reporters Sunday. "As a team, we're not playing hard enough. We're slacking."
Losses happen and a lack of intensity can be an NBA issue in November. However losing three games to teams they should beat by an average of almost 10 points - especially a defeat at home to the putrid and previously winless Brooklyn Nets - is cause for concern.
"We have to snap out of it," Ariza added.
While the team has beaten the likes of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Clippers, they have also lost twice to the Denver Nuggets this season. Subpar defense has been a constant. The Rockets' 106.5 points allowed per 100 possessions is currently the second worst in the NBA, and going into Monday rank 26th in point differential.
The Rockets host the Boston Celtics Monday and Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday.