Effective Motiejunas gives Bickerstaff offensive option against stingy Warriors
The Rockets’ use of forward/center Donatas Motiejunas as an offensive option has helped keep Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green from roaming to help positions and into passing lanes.
But they also wanted Motiejunas to be more involved in the offense for another reason.
“D-Mo can score down there,” Rockets interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff said Saturday. “It gives us another outlet for a guy to go to against a very good defensive team.
“They are one of the top-five defenses in the league. You’re going to have to find ways to manufacture points, especially in playoff scenarios where you’re playing the same team over and over again.
“They know all your plays. At some point in time, it’s going to come down to guys having to make one-on-one baskets and D-Mo is good with his back to the basket making those plays.”
Coming off the top scoring (14 points) and top rebounding (13) performance of his four postseason appearances in the Rockets’ 97-96 victory Thursday that cut the Warriors’ series lead to 2-1, Motiejunas was happy with the responsibility.
“I felt great,” Motiejunas said. “I love to be under pressure. “I love to be in those type of situations. It’s fun to play games like that.
“Hopefully, the next game we’re going to be up and we’re not going to lose our lead that easy. But a win is a win and we’re happy.”
Warriors predict positive response
The Warriors haven’t lost back-to-back games all season, and after practice Saturday, the players said they don’t intend to when they take the court Sunday against the Rockets for Game 4 of the playoff series.
“We feel fresh and ready,” guard Klay Thompson said. “We had two days to get ready for this next one.”
The Warriors lost to the Rockets 97-96 on Thursday in Game 3. Coach Steve Kerr said the team has responded well after losses.
“That’s something we are really proud of,” Kerr said. “We have generally bounced back well after losses. I think we will again.”
Kerr said the key after Thursday’s loss was for the Warriors to play smarter.
“It’s not that we need to play harder, but more intelligently,” he said. “We have been able to do that all season, so hopefully we can respond again.”
Beverley’s knee not a problem
Rockets guard Pat Beverley struggled late in Thursday’s Game 3 with a sore knee, but he went through Saturday’s practice and was not included on the team’s injury report.
“He’s good,” interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff said Saturday. “He got his work in. He’ll be ready to go.”