Desire to play at faster pace being fulfilled in first 3 games

Determined to be more up-tempo this season, the Rockets have had the shortest possessions in the NBA in their first three games. But after scoring 27 fastbreak points in the season opener, the key to the Rockets’ increased pace has not been on the break as much as how rapidly they have gotten into their offense after made baskets.

This has not been a return to Mike D’Antoni’s seven seconds or less past. According to the website inpredictable.com, the Rockets’ average possession has lasted 12.3 seconds, the fastest to a shot in the NBA. They rank 11th after missed shots, 12th after turnovers.

The difference between their pace this season and in recent seasons has been in how quickly they get up to the floor after made baskets, taking their own shot in 14.1 seconds, the fastest in the league.

“We think it is (important), we hope it is,” D’Antoni

said. “One, it’s a point of emphasis. Two, I think when you have somebody like Russ ( Westbrook), you’re going to automatically get it up there. Russ gives you that extra amount of oomph or whatever. Then, you talk about it all the time and it comes out.

“Hopefully it’s better for us. I think it is. It looks like it should be. I was encouraged. Like New Orleans gets up and down. That’s what they’re known for. They really run. We ran actually more than they did (Saturday), which is a good sign.”

The Rockets overall are fourth in pace in the NBA, which accounts for both ends of the floor with their switching defense often leading to slower possessions. Last season, when they switched even more often defensively, they were 27th in the NBA in pace.

“That’s No. 0,” Rockets guard Austin Rivers said of Westbrook. “With him, we had to do that. Us playing at a slow pace doesn’t help Russell at all. The most effective he can be is playing at a fast pace.

Harden’s shot of no concern

James Harden’s shot selection has not changed in his slow start to the season. The Rockets have no issues with that.

Harden has made 28.6 percent of his shots, 15 percent of his 3-pointers. His 13.3 3-pointers attempted per game lead the NBA.

“James is a different breed,” coach Mike D’Antoni said. “A normal player, you’d say they’re bad shots. He’s not normal. Those are the shots he always takes, and he’s made. That’s why you don’t worry about it. Game shape is probably not there, yet. His legs are feeling it. Then you start to press a little bit because you want to do well.

“We’re talking about a guy who had 40 points (Monday) night. Not bad.”

Will intensity pick up on road?

After sluggish starts in several home games, the Rockets face a four-game road trip against teams that have been noteworthy for how hard they have played to start the season.

Searching for more consistent intensity, their hope was that leaving home might force greater energy if only because that will be necessary.

“We could use it that way. That’s what we’re hoping,” coach Mike D’Antoni said. “If we don’t use it that way, I’ll spin it that we’re OK, anyway. We’ve got to use it that way. There’s no reason not to play hard. If you don’t, you’re not going to win. Hopefully, we can come together and get that. Will be some good tests for us. The first back-to-back (in Miami and Memphis) will be in that group. We need a good road trip. Obviously, it starts with energy level.”

The Rockets’ opponents on the trip — the Wizards, Nets, Heat and Grizzlies — were a combined 5-7 going into Tuesday’s games.

They begin the trip at Washington in the Wizards’ home opener after a threegame trip in which the Wizards outscored the Thunder, Mavericks and Spurs by two points while going 1-2.

“We haven’t played on the road yet, everything been at home, everything’s been easy,” Rockets guard Austin Rivers said. “To start a four-game road trip, Eastern Conference teams. You can’t go in there and take it lightly. Obviously, Brooklyn’s going to be a tough game. Miami’s going to be a tough game. You saw what happened with Memphis when Brooklyn came in. They beat them, too. It’s going to be very important for us defensively to make a statement.”

Rivers recalls brief D.C. stint

Rockets guard Austin Rivers played just 29 games with the Wizards last season, too short a span before he was traded to the Suns and released to build many memories. But he did get to live for a brief stretch in a city he loves and was able to move on to a situation he prefers.

“I don’t think there will be any tribute video,” Rivers said. “I say that because the tribute would be very, very short. Four clips, that’s probably all I gave them. It wasn’t my highest of times there, but I have nothing negative to say.

“Things happen and you move forward in life. I don’t think I’ll get booed. Nothing negative happened, either. But D.C., it is one of my favorite cities. I had a great time in terms of my living situation. I love D.C., the city. It will be nice to get back there for a day.”