Rockets address, move past disagreement over ball movement

After center Christian Wood was critical of the Rockets’ ball movement – a criticism that point guard John Wall disputed – coach Stephen Silas addressed the issue on Monday, but said it was not as much of a reason for Sunday’s loss as defense and rebounding.

“I talked to him about it,” Silas said before Monday’s game. “We got past it. And we’re on to Toronto.

“Part of it is competitiveness and wanting to win and all of that so I take that into account. He was at times in the corner just kind of how things worked out because we were going at certain defenders and we were scoring. I kind of get his frustration a little bit just because of the competitive part.”

The offense was not the Rockets’ undoing on Sunday, at least not until the final four minutes. The Rockets scored 112 points before missing their final four shots. Their 36.8 percent 3-point shooting was their best since Jan. 23. It was also their worst defensive rebounding game of the season.

“I thought it was good,” Silas said. “We got some good shots. We fought back and tied the game. We went up. The defense just really put us in a bind. They were just driving the ball into the paint and kicking to shooters. That hurt more than the offensive part. We’re hopefully starting to get some rhythm, especially with John, Vic (Oladipo) and C-Wood together.

“I wish we would have played better defense. I wish we were a little bit more disappointed with the defense than the offense. But I get it. We’re on a losing streak and there’s frustration. We’re all frustrated.”

Wall, Oladipo and Wood have played in just five games together. Oladipo was out on Monday for quad injury management in the second half of the back-to-back. Wall and Wood returned to the minutes restriction the Rockets did not follow on Sunday. But Silas indicated there are no issues among his top players.

“The chemistry of the group has been good as far as believing, listening, still having attention to what I’m trying to do,” Silas said. “But the most important chemistry is on the floor, playing together. That’s a work in progress but we’re making the right steps as far as having those guys on the floor together.”

“I’m always looking for things we can do better and ways we can improve. There were a couple plays that could have been better. Hopefully, that group is starting to mesh a little bit and get some chemistry.”