Rockets bring unique style
No NBA team past or present plays quite like the Orlando Magic’s opponent Tuesday night, the Houston Rockets. Led by superstar
the Rockets love to launch 3-pointers.
They average 39.9 per game.
Just how mind-boggling is that number?
Consider this: The NBA record for 3s attempted per game in a season is 32.7, set by the 2014-15 Rockets.
And consider this: Through Sunday, NBA teams have averaged 26.9 attempted 3s per game this season through Sunday, according to the website Basketball Reference.
The Rockets surround Harden with capable longrange shooters, including attempts
and Their long-range shots often generate long-rebound opportunities, and the Magic didn’t deal with those long caroms well when they lost to the Rockets 100-93 on Jan. 6.
The Rockets launched 49 3s that night, and they collected a total of 12 offensive rebounds. Magic coach
said his players should be acclimated to long-rebound opportunities because so many teams now love shooting 3s.
“We should be prepared for it as much as we can be prepared for it,” Vogel said. “It’s a unique style that this league is playing, and this team we’re playing is leading the pack in terms of that style.
“It’s tough to get to the 3-point shooters, and it’s tough to get all your boxouts in place when you’re scrambling like that. That’s why they’ve been successful. We tried to simulate it some in practice, tried to show them some tape and just do the best you can.”
Magic forward
said: “I think you’ve just got to make the second effort toward getting them.”
Vogel watched Super Bowl LI on Sunday, and he couldn’t help putting himself in the shoes of New England Patriots coach
and Atlanta Falcons coach
The Patriots fell behind 28-3 midway through the third quarter but won 34-28 in overtime.
The Patriots’ deficit reminded Vogel of some of the deficits the Magic have faced this season.
“We get into the speech that I’ve said too often this year: ‘Hey, we can make this happen,’ ” Vogel said. “‘We’re down, yeah. But crazy things happen in sports. Let’s see what we can make happen.’ As the coach that’s up, you’ve got to make sure that you’re continuing to do what got you the lead.” Magic forward
was impressed by the Patriots.
“I just like the Patriots’ presence of mind,” Gordon said. “There’s all these statistics, there’s all these records about when you’re down that much in a Super Bowl you’re not going to win. It seemed like they didn’t buy into it. It seemed like they just continued to play their game, and they trusted their talent and they trusted their culture and they came out with a win. So I do respect the presence of mind by the Patriots.”
Gordon said one of the keys to guarding Harden is to not give him an opportunity to draw fouls.
Harden has averaged 10.7 free throws per game this season.
“He’s a smart player — very smart,” Gordon said. “When he sees arms, he’s looking to go get them. So you’ve just got to keep your hand out of the cookie jar, use your body, use [your] foot speed.”