A few bad starts led to a few bad losses. But on Sunday, a few bad losses led to something worse.
The Rockets took one hit from the Orlando Magic and folded. Showing the defensive tenacity of a traffic cone, the Rockets checked out early, falling behind by as much as 32 on the way to a 126-106 debacle of a loss on Sunday, their fourth loss in seven days, their third to a team far beneath .500.
They did take their largest lead of the past three games, three points. But by time they reached halftime, the frustration was dripping off them, from Russell Westbrook piling up turnovers, James Harden collecting missed 3s and Robert Covington, Jeff Green and Mike D’Antoni each getting technical fouls in the final minute of the half.