Curry to see different opponent when he steps on the floor
Bickerstaff to disguise Harden’s role, utilize Howard to dominate in paint in giving Rockets’ offense new twist
Golden State will make the best playoff adjustment of all.
The Warriors will move guard Stephen Curry from the locker room to the court and seek to take advantage of everything that comes from his offensive genius, from his production to the way his shooting range stretches defenses to the breaking point.
The Rockets made adjustments. They were more subtle and far less celebrated. They brought only mixed results in Game 3. But they could be as vital.
The Rockets are unlikely to often beat the Warriors while shooting 39.1 percent, as they did Thursday, especially with Curry returning Sunday to the NBA’s most prolific offense and rejoining a team that has not lost consecutive games since the celebrations last season.
The Rockets held the Warriors in check to get their Game 3 win and will have to defend with at least that much tenacity. But there is a sense the Rockets cannot rely on winning with double-digit scoring. Shots are there
They believe they won’t have to.
“The shots we were getting, we had open looks from guys,” interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “We missed shots. We need to continue to play that way, the way we created those shots, and they’ll go. Our guys are too good of shooters for it not to.”
The Rockets missed open looks, making just 8-of-28 uncontested 3-pointers (21.1 percent) and hitting 30.6 percent of their 3s overall. But they believe the adjustments to their offense worked.
“Those are shots we will make,” guard Pat Beverley said. “Those are shots we have to continue to take.
“We had a lot of open shots that we didn’t convert, but just our aggression on the attack, making plays for the next person, it really showed in Game 3.”
They looked to Dwight Howard deep in the paint when he was able to beat Andrew Bogut to his spot. For a second straight game, the Rockets often posted up Donatas Motiejunas. Harden on the move
Most of all, the Rockets more often started their offense with James Harden off the ball and out of the line of fire of the defense.
“We got away from a bunch of pick-and-rolls,” Bickerstaff said. “We got him the ball off of movement. We got him the ball off different spots on the floor. He was able to create without the extra traffic. We’ll continue to do that. We’ll put him in different places, move him around, make them have to find him a little more instead of them knowing he is standing at the top of the floor.
“In pick-and-roll, they were putting bodies on him, sometimes sending three guys to him. Draymond Green does a good job being in the help spot and going to find the ball.
“We put him in spots it would take a little longer for the double-team to get there. Or, if you do double- team, there are quicker, easier outlets for him to guys who can knock down shots.”
Harden had 35 points with nine assists, even while going 4-of-14 on 3-point tries. He remained the key to the offense. His usage rate, the percentage of possessions he used, was 32.2 percent, more than in the first two games.
But the Rockets’ scoring was balanced, with the offense moving more smoothly with Harden not having to handle the ball for as long on each possession to create shots for himself and around him.
“It allows other guys to make a play to get confidence up, especially early in the game like that,” Harden said of the adjustment. “You have to find dif- ferent ways to attack this team. They’re a good team. Guys like Patrick and Trevor (Ariza), get them going early along with the big fella (Howard), it gives them confidence and we ride that wave the entire game.
“Through the regular season, you see different defenses. You just have to watch film. You have to figure out how are you most effective on whatever defense they play and just do it whether you make shots or are missing. Just figure it out and be aggressive.”
Harden said the Warriors’ defense has not been different from schemes used against him this season, but the Warriors have been effective when switching and sending bodies to cut off his drives. Changing their ways
He adjusted in Game 3. The Rockets misfired but came away encouraged with the opportunities, especially because at least in that game, they got away with it and won.
“The last game was a sign of that evolution, the ability to not be so stuck in your ways that you don’t make adjustments,” Bickerstaff said. “He’s watching how they’re playing him. They’re trying not to foul him. They’re doubleteaming him, triple-teaming him in pick-and-roll. He found another way to be effective.”
The Warriors have found another way, too, bringing back the league’s leading scorer. Not having that option, the Rockets used the second-leading scorer differently in search for the scoring they will need.