As deceiving as statistics can be, 29th in a 29-team league is pretty hard to argue.

The Rockets hit the All-Star break ranked 29th in field-goal percentage defense and assists. In the search for improvement, both areas seemed a pretty good place to start.

One month and 15 games later, the Rockets have not turned around those numbers. But they have had strong games in both weak areas, gone 9-6 and have beaten three consecutive winning teams for the first time this season.

"Defense, intensity and everybody's on the same page," guard Steve Francis said of the Rockets' modest, but clear turnaround. "I think we've been doing a great job passing the ball."