Rockets look to stay perfect in December when they host Kings

HOUSTON -- The Rockets delivered the type of defensive performance on Monday night against the Nets that left them scoffing for only so long, one chalked up to a lack of focus that sometimes accompanies the rigors of a grueling 82-game schedule.

Even after the Nets torched the Rockets for 75 second-half points on 65.9 percent shooting and 68 points in the paint, Houston entered Tuesday ranked fifth in the NBA in the month of December with a 99.4 defensive rating (points allowed per 100 possessions).

The Rockets' defense had been exceptional for the most part as they won their first six games this month, so after they improved to 7-0 in December with their 122-118 victory, the Rockets didn't spend too much time lamenting the defense.

"It was one of those games, but once again we will count it," Rockets guard James Harden said. "We will use it and just watch film and try to get better.

"There are 82 games and every game isn't going to be perfect. You've got to figure out ways to win and that's what we did."

That the Rockets (18-7), who will host the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night at Toyota Center, can sidestep one hiccup and point to their defensive improvement represents a significant positive. Houston ranks fifth in the NBA this month in offensive rating (112.9) and second to the Toronto Raptors in net rating (13.4).

And, after spending most of the first month attempting to play at a faster pace to better augment their high-powered offense, the Rockets have done exactly that thus far in December. The Nets entered Tuesday leading the league in pace for December at 104.7 possessions per 48 minutes. The Rockets were second at 103.0.

That macro view allows the Rockets room to disregard a bad night at the office defensively. Lessons were learned, but Houston didn't marinate too long on the bad stuff.

"Every night is not going to be pretty. Every night is not going to be easy," said Rockets guard Patrick Beverley. "We enjoy games like this because we can learn from it."

The Kings (9-15) won for just the second time in seven games on Monday night, blasting the visiting Los Angeles Lakers 116-92.

The victory came at a cost, however, with guard Ben McLemore (left quad) and forward Rudy Gay (right hip flexor) landing on the injured list. Both were listed as day-to-day on Tuesday. The Kings recalled rookies Skal Labissiere and Malachi Richardson from D-league affiliate Reno to add bodies to their roster in advance of their second meeting with Houston.

The Kings allowed an NBA-record 50 3-point attempts in their 117-104 home loss to Houston on Nov. 25. While the Rockets lead the league in 3-pointers per game (14.2) and 3-point attempts (37.4), the Kings are allowing 10.5 3-pointers per game.

Those numbers alone are foreboding for the Kings. That Houston has made at least 10 3-pointers in an NBA-record 24 consecutive games represents a greater concern.

"We're not defending the basketball very well," Kings coach Dave Joerger said to the Sacramento Bee. "So when we reach or we gamble ... it always seems like somebody's open. Those are the shots you practice. You get open 3s, you've got to knock them down, and that's what teams have done."