James Harden, Mike D'Antoni Say Rockets Have Hit 'Rock Bottom' After Magic Loss

The Houston Rockets have hit "rock bottom" following their embarrassing 126-106 home loss to the Orlando Magic on Sunday, according to Mike D'Antoni and James Harden.

"Yes, yep. ... We're not really worried, just frustrating," Harden told reporters when asked whether he agreed with D'Antoni's characterization. "Seems like it's all going bad, but the only way you get out of it is keep pushing through. Keep fighting through it. The tide will turn around, we'll make it turn around."

The Rockets have lost four straight overall, including games against Orlando, New York and Charlotte where they were the heavy on-paper favorite. Harden said the team feels "very strange" when out on the court, and there has been a clear lack of urgency and chemistry over this down stretch.

Houston's losing streak has dropped them to sixth in the Western Conference, 0.5 games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder. Moving behind Oklahoma City provides a bit of bitter irony because the Rockets traded two first-round picks and Chris Paul to the Thunder for Russell Westbrook. Paul is in the midst of an All-Star season while leading the surprising Thunder into the playoff race; Westbrook has been spectacular in his own right, but the team results remain lacking.

"Eight days ago we were rolling, and then all of a sudden the bottom fell out," D'Antoni told reporters. "We're searching a little bit for answers, and we'll find them...it's so bad that we've got to find a little spark, a little swagger, and hopefully we'll start Tuesday."

Pressure is high in Houston because it's seen as a make-or-break year for D'Antoni and perhaps general manager Daryl Morey. D'Antoni is in the final year of his contract after failed extension negotiations last offseason, and Morey has been the architect of a franchise that's consistently come close but never reached a Finals since 2007.

Pushing their chips to the table and going all-in on small ball at the trade deadline was arguably the last-ditch effort for D'Antoni and Morey go win on their terms. With things falling apart—especially against bad teams—the Rockets will have to turn things around fast to avoid a first-round matchup against one of the Los Angeles juggernauts.