REAL THING NEARS
The preseason schedule is down to its final game.
The preseason finish line is here.
The Rockets conclude the seven-game slate against the Spurs on Friday at the AT&T Center in San Antonio before opening the 2016-17 season by visiting the Los Angles Lakers on Wednesday.
The in-state showdown is a grand finale to the exhibition games, but James Harden said the goals remain the same.
“We want to find each other’s rhythm, figure each other out, how effective we are in certain spots, and compete at a high level,” he said.
The Rockets stumbled for the first time last week, losing to the Memphis Grizzlies 134-125 in double overtime, despite 14 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists from Harden, who also had seven turnovers.
But they didn’t blame issues with rotations or a lack of defense for their struggles, instead citing poor 3-point shooting as evidence of tired legs and jetlagged bodies after the voyage home from China.
“We were a couple steps behind after that long China trip,” Harden said.
“That had us sluggish a little bit, but we picked it up in that second half a little bit. We’re not worried about it.”
The trip seemed to affect the starters more.
Montrezl Harrell came off the bench for 20 points, 10 boards and three blocks in 27 minutes, Sam Dekker and Tyler Ennis scored 16 points apiece, and Eric Gordon added 15 points and four assists.
They helped force overtime, but the Rockets ran out of gas in the second OT.
“It was a good game for us in the sense of, we were tired and running in mud, and now we’ll take a day off or so and then get back at it,” coach Mike D’Antoni said. “It was good to get it out of their system.”
The Rockets’ centers are doing well in D’Antoni’s system.
Harrell’s hustle is helping in the preseason, Nene’s proving his potential as a playmaker, and Clint Capela played well against Memphis, supplying nine points and nine rebounds in 12 minutes.
D’Antoni was particularly pleased with Capela’s progress.
“This was Clint Capela’s best game, (with) his activity, so that’s good,” D’Antoni said.
“He was having some issues with his Achilles (tendon) and it looks like he’s healthy, so that’s very positive.”
Harden praised Harrell’s positive energy.
The second-year forward provided 11 points, six rebounds and two blocks in a 116-104 win over New Orleans.
“He brings energy to the team,” Harden said.
“Everybody has a role on this team, and his role is to bring energy, do all the hustle plays — set screens, rebound — and as a result, the numbers have looked good and he’s looked good.”
Dekker, meanwhile, is settling into his role as a versatile power forward.
“I’m just worried about making plays at both ends of the court, any way that I can contribute, and if it’s at the four, so be it,” he said. “I have a skill set that can play many positions, so I’m embracing it.
“I’m embracing it as, this will be my role this year.”
The Spurs will try to play the role of preseason spoilers.
They’re 3-2 in the preseason after falling 108-100 to the Miami Heat last Friday at home, where Kawhi Leonard had 11 points and six rebounds and Tony Parker scored 10 points with four assists.
Leonard is averaging 15.5 points, 5.5 boards and 2.3 assists in four preseason games.
Pau Gasol scored 14 points in a 95-89 victory over the Orlando Magic, and LaMarcus Aldridge notched 10 points, nine rebounds and three steals in 26 minutes in an 86-81 win against the Detroit Pistons.
“We’re a couple steps behind (after China), but it’s nothing to worry about,” Harden said.