OKC rematch poses challenge
The Rockets and Thunder might not be able to consider their games against one another preparation for a playoff series quite yet.
Playing the same team in consecutive games, as the Rockets will on five occasions this season including the pair of games against the Lakers last month, does offer those sorts of challenges.
“Similar to like a playoff game but when you win, you know you beat them before, you have to implement it even more and harder as you go on the road,” Rockets guard Eric Gordon said. “I think we’re going to be ready for it.”
As with all playoff series, the rematch should pose a greater challenge to the team that won with the Rockets coming off a 102-89 win on Monday at home.
“There’s the edge part, keeping your edge and knowing we played a good game and it’s going to be harder the next time we play them because of them watching the tape and making adjustments and also the energy they’re going to put forth in their building like they did last time we played them,” Rockets coach Stephen Silas said. “It’s going to be harder. It’s going to be a lot harder to go there and play as well as we did (Monday.) We’re going to have to play better.”
More assists lead to improved play
As much as the Rockets’ shooting has improved, they believe that improvement is not only about the shots going in. The Rockets have cited the ball movement that has led to those shots.
“The unselfishness,” Gordon said of the change. “Everybody’s moving. When someone is open, we try to move the ball to him. It’s been good that way and that’s how it should be.
Everybody should be knowing when they’re open they should be able to get that shot. We’ve been a lot more unselfish.
The Rockets averaged 31.3 assists in the threegame homestand. They had averaged 18.3 in the previous nine games, 21.0 overall this season.
Houston in 4-2 when getting at least 25 assists, 0-9 when it doesn’t.
The increase in assists shows improved shooting, but the Rockets said the passing has contributed to that and the better shooting has encouraged more passing.
“We’re just are trusting each other,” said Rockets forward Jae’Sean Tate, who had a season-high eight assists on Monday, said. “Guys are playing together. Guys are stepping up from the starting lineup and on the bench. With that, there’s rhythm, there’s confidence in each other. Confidence is everything in this game. When you feel that from your teammates, it makes the job a lot easier.”
Better shooting kills the zone
Though the Thunder helped extensively inside, they dabbled only briefly with a zone. Gordon hit a deep 3-pointer and the Thunder got out of the zone.
The Rockets have had trouble with zones this season, but with improved shooting, they believed they can handle that better if the Thunder go to more zone defenses.
“We’re better equipped,” Silas said. “Garrison
( Mathews) is in the playing group. Armoni
( Brooks) is in the playing group. ( Danuel) House
( Jr.) is shooting the ball well. C-Wood ( Christian Wood) has turned the corner on his 3s. We’re much more equipped to play against zones.”