Kevin Durant Powers Rockets Amid Free Throw Chatter

Kevin Durant has pushed the Houston Rockets to four wins in five games, scoring 36 against the 76ers and 32 in 41 minutes on the second night of a back-to-back versus Detroit. A fan on X joked he needs to boost his free-throw work, and Durant is "only" 83.3 percent from the line over the last five games, down from an 88.5 season mark. Houston sits 27-16 and fourth in the West, 2.5 games behind Denver for the No. 3 seed. Merlin sees a veteran in rhythm. Durant is absorbing heavy minutes and shouldering offense while the Rockets steady after a rough stretch. A short dip at the stripe feels like a hiccup, not a prophecy, and the next few weeks will show if Houston can turn hot stretches into sustained seeding gains.