Resilience is key for Terry’s guarantee of a win to happen
OAKLAND, Calif. — Seeking a puncher’s chance, the Rockets return to Oracle Arena hoping to stand toe-to-toe with the Golden State Warriors and pledging — even “guaranteeing,” according to Jason Terry — to bring the series back to Houston.
The question of whether they can take a punch remained unanswered.
The Rockets have had their moments in the bestof-seven series, most recently when they headed to the second half of Sunday’s Game 4 with the game tied. But they went from that solid half to a 31-point deficit in a rush of Golden State 3-pointers and the sort of panicked breakdowns the Warriors inspire and the Rockets have been prone to since opening night.
Facing elimination, the Rockets have to solve the problem that tormented them all season, and they will have to do it while expecting another of the Warriors’ customary runs in Wednesday’s Game 5.
“They’re going to make runs,” Rockets guard James Harden said. “It’s the crazy ones. That third quarter last game was pretty crazy. Just limit it. Bounce back from their runs and make our own runs. If we can just do that and limit our turnovers
and giving them extra opportunities, we’ll put ourselves in a really good position to win the game.”
The Rockets, who trail the series 3-1, have not shown an ability to handle the Warriors at their best. The Rockets got their one win last season, in Game 4, when they dominated early. They got their win this season, in Game 3 last week, when they rushed to a 17-point lead and held on. In Oracle Arena, however, the Warriors have floored the Rockets when they got on a roll the Rockets did not have the fortitude or discipline to slow until the games were blowouts.
Don’t go for the knockout
“It’s because of the way they shoot the 3,” Rockets interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “Normal teams, if they’re making 2s, you can get yourself an opportunity to get in the game. You shoot a free throw here or there and the run is not as damaging.
“With them, it’s a3, 3, 3, 3 and … it’s hard for people to overcome. The 3 is more demoralizing, especially as a defensive player. It shouldn’t be, but that’s when we talk about the mental toughness of being able to sustain a run. In this building, you’re going to have to do that. They’re going to make a couple 3s. The crowd is going to get in the game and you’re going to have to be able to respond.
“With them, instead of trying to throw a counterpunch, teams try to throw a knockout punch back. It escalates. You look up and you’re down 15 from a game that might have been a two-point game.”
Stunned by their collapse Sunday, the Rockets seemed to have rebuilt their confidence. They would have to win three games against a team that has not lost consecutive games all season and would have to win as often in Oracle as 41 visiting teams did combined this season. But the Rockets chose to view Sunday’s first half as an indication of what is possible, as opposed to lamenting what happened in the second half.
“We have a great opportunity in front of us to do something special,” center Dwight Howard said. “The series is not over with. That’s why it’s a seven-game series. We understand that. We’re in a position we have to fight for our lives. I think we’re going to come together, do whatever we have to do to get this win.”
No lack of confidence
Terry went beyond that, relishing the idea of making the Warriors return to Houston for a Game 6 on Friday and even joking about adding a Larry O’Brien Trophy tattoo to go with the tattoo he added the season of the Mavericks’ championship.
“That’s going to be a long flight for them to come back to Houston,” Terry said. “It’s going to be a nice flight home once we get this win tomorrow. I’m guaranteeing it.
“If I don’t, then what? It’s a loss, right? I guarantee victory because I know what it’s going to take. I believe in my group. I know we can get a win here and send this home to Houston.”
The Rockets might have needed to rebuild confidence after the disappointment of Sunday’s collapse and the reality of the opportunity lost when Stephen Curry was lost for the balance of the series because of a sprained ligament.
The Rockets are 1-2 against the Curry-less Warriors and saw how his teammates were inspired to step up when he went down. But having played the NBA’s best team more than anyone the past two seasons, the Rockets at least know what is required.
“It’s going to come down to a lot of fortitude, a lot of mental toughness and a lot of willingness to scrap and do the little things we’ve been talking about ,” Bickerstaff said. “Jab, jab, jab. Stay in the game. Make plays down the stretch.”