Video session exposes flaws in 31-point win
The Rockets’ 31-point win in Game 1 was the third-largest margin of victory in a playoff game in franchise history. (The Rockets beat Phoenix in Game 3 of the 1995 Western Conference semifinals by 33 and the New York Knicks in the 1975 opening round by 32.)
But when they watched the video Tuesday, the Rockets saw the ways they could improve after the 118-87 win.
“Defensively, we can be even tighter, rebound the basketball even better, not give them second opportunities,” guard James Harden said. “Then offensively, we had a couple shots that we forced. Whether it’s making the extra pass, whether it’s driving on their hard closeouts. We watched film. We can be even better.
“That was only one game. We know this is a (first to) four-game series. We watched film. Obviously, we did a really good job. We have to be even better in Game 2 with our focus level, offensively and defensively. We have to be ready. They’re going to come, obviously, fullfledged. We have to be on our ‘A’ game tomorrow.”
The Rockets blew open Game 1 in the second half, outscoring the Thunder by 26 as Oklahoma City scored 33 points on 28.9 percent shooting. But the first half was tight, with 18 ties or lead changes before the Rockets took a fivepoint lead into the locker room.
“We need to approach every game the same way, just like we did Game 1,” forward Ryan Anderson said. “We need to focus on our defense and rebounding. Coming out, we don’t want to come in like it was a blowout and come in all loose. We want to come out ready to go.
“This is a group we’re confident in how we want to play and we need to play. We just watched film, and it wasn’t a highlight reel. We showed quite a number of mistakes, things we can get better and improve on.”
Between the regular season and playoffs, the Rockets have a six-game winning streak against Oklahoma City at Toyota Center and have won four of five meetings this season. But they expect the Thunder’s best Wednesday.
“We know they’re going to come out stronger and harder,” coach Mike D’Antoni said. “They’ll try to do everything harder. Human nature, we told them, let go a deep breath, but we can’t do that. We have to up our ante on this one like two days ago didn’t happen and figure out how we’re going to win on Wednesday.”
Westbrook jests with reporters
Russell Westbrook committed his 10th turnover of Oklahoma City’s series against the Rockets, with nine in the first game and the second game to come.
His latest miscue didn’t involve any of his teammates, but rather a huddle of reporters following the Thunder’s practice Tuesday in the Guy V. Lewis Complex at the University of Houston.
Westbrook, who has long had a contentious (and that’s putting it nicely) relationship with the media, brought a basketball to his interview, and was dribbling it when telling reporters to “keep back” during the Q&A on the basketball court. He then played around with the basketball a bit more before throwing it from one hand to the other. Or he (allegedly) tried to, anyway.
He barely tipped the ball with his right hand as it flew by and into the media huddle, with most of the reporters having their hands full with recorders or notepads. The ball knocked off one writer’s glasses, and Westbrook quickly said, “My fault.”
Once an Oklahoma City columnist tossed a nice lob pass back to Westbrook over a few defenders’ (reporters’) heads, Westbrook added, “Accident.” He then winked and the interview commenced.
D’Antoni praises Beverley’s spirit
Though Rockets guard Pat Beverley scored a career playoff-high 21 points while grabbing 10 rebounds against the Thunder in Game 1, his hustle plays might have had as great an impact.
Whether the guard’s shots fall in Game 2, coach Mike D’Antoni said it is almost impossible to neutralize the intangibles in Beverley’s play. Almost.
“Get a big old elephant gun before the game, I don’t know,” D’Antoni said of how to stop Beverley’s intensity and influence. “Pat was awesome. He always is. He made shots. He might not. It doesn’t matter. His energy and just making everybody irritable, you can’t replace it. I’ve said it all year. It’s on the bus, off the bus, on the court, off the court. The way he attacks the game is special.”
D’Antoni has described Beverley’s importance from his injury in the preseason to his play throughout the season, but he liked that others are noticing.
“It’s always nice to have someone … get what he deserves,” D’Antoni said. “It makes you feel good because you love what he brings and you want everybody to understand what it is. That’s a talent to be able to do that, and he has an abundance of it.”
Watt, Beverley swap goodwill
The Wolverine turned into a 10-year-old watching his favorite cartoon.
Yes, Pat Beverley heard what J.J. Watt said about him. And yes, the Rockets’ Game 1 star was overwhelmed by the praise from the Texan.
“I watched the whole thing,” Beverley said Tuesday before practice at Toyota Center. “I was like a little kid watching the whole thing. I watched it about 10 times.”
Watt spent part of his Monday interview praising Beverley, who scored a career playoff-high 21 points and quieted Oklahoma City star Russell Westbrook during Game 1 while Watt sat courtside.
“His intensity’s the best,” Watt said. “I sit there on the sidelines and I’m getting fired up, wanting to get in the game.”
Asked about Watt’s words, Beverley first pointed out the Texan’s contributions to the community, then acknowledged that he’s long had a bond with No. 99.
“He’s a great man. … We’ve had a relationship since I’ve been here,” Beverley said. “Of course, we’re both defensiveminded. It’s always phenomenal to see him at the games. I try to make sure he’s always involved as much as possible.”
With Game 2 on Wednesday and the Rockets aiming for a 2-0, first-round series lead, Beverley hopes Watt will make a return visit to Toyota Center.
“We’ve got to keep him in the same seats,” Beverley said.