Oh, that first game wasn’t a pretty viewing in Houston. Since February, the Rockets have blitzed through every opposition to earn the #2 seed in the West, which remained competitive till the last. They are definitely one of the best offenses in the NBA. And unlike Stephen Curry and the Warriors, they didn’t even have the gruelling play-ins to hurdle past. So what went wrong? Probably too long a break. But how did they lose 95-85 at the Toyota Center, their home? Well, answers best known to them, but Brian Windhorst, Tim Bontemps, and Tim MacMahon were quick to break down exactly that.
On Windy’s podcast, Brian Windhorst & the Hoop Collective, they talked extensively about one factor- the trio of Alphren Sengun, Steven Adams, and Jabari Smith. Big bodies, defensive potential, and some offensive versatility. But against a team like the Warriors? Against a killer like the Chef? It’s a mismatch wrapped in a mismatch. Jimmy Butler sensed it too—he didn’t just exploit it, he danced through it. According to Bontemps, Udoka’s desire to play the three big men won’t work out in the long term against the likes of the Chef.
“Houston was going to have to try to manufacture enough offense to win this series against the Golden State team that since they traded for Jimmy Butler has been the best defensive team in the league… And the other thing we talked about coming in the series was could Houston play the big lineups with Steven Adams and Alperen Sengun and even Jabari Smith?” said Bontemps on the pod.
The problem, according to him, in Game 1 was pushing all of them parallel. “They ran out all three of them together at times… Those two big lineups worked that helped get them back in the game. But if that’s the only way they’re going to be able to generate offense, still going two for three against Steph Curry. That’s not going to work over the course of seven games,”
Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images
Stephen Curry has proven time and time again that his height isn’t one to understate. He went 12-for-19 from the field and 5-for-9 from the 3PT line. This is in major contrast to his opposition. And despite a slower start to the game, the 37-year-old still ended with a 31/6/3 statline.
For the Rockets, this is something they have to go over time and time again. They’re to come against the likes of Steph and Jimmy Butler 6 more times. A repeat can’t happen. But when it indicates major contrast, it doesn’t hint towards the trio of Sengun, Smith Jr., and Adams. If you compare Steph’s shooting to the likes of Jalen Green and Fred VanVleet, it’s not something to stick on the fridge if you’re a Rockets fan.
Jalen Green, Fred VanVleet among 5 Rockets stars under fire
Houston had the fuel in its bodies to reach the moon during the regular season. But unfortunately for them, the same fuel couldn’t drive them to a game 1 win against the Warriors on home turf. In that game, they were allegedly just shooting balls for the sake of it. In particular, Jalen Green.
Despite arguably being the hottest player in Houston this season, he got cold feet against the might of the Golden State. “They had they had several chances and they had awful, awful possessions, including- I remember one where Jalen Green just went went into the lane. I don’t know what he was trying to do. He just threw the ball at the basket,” said Windy on his pod.
For a man averaging 42.3% from the field and 35.4% from the 3PT line, the game against the Golden State was one to forget. He went 0-for-4 from the 3, and only shot 20% from the field. When you’re at the forefront of the attack, you have got to do better. Let’s hope for his sake that this was just a one-off. But Green wasn’t the only one under fire.
Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
In a team filled with young, brimming talent, Fred VanVleet’s experience comes in big. But his shooting has been a cause of concern all season. And this was aided by his performance against the Dub Nation. Despite playing 40 minutes, he could only muster a 10/1/7 scoreline while going 4-for-19 from the field and 2-for-13 from the 3PT line. One can only assume this showing to be swept under his rug as soon as possible.
So the call from Windy’s podcast was to highlight five players in particular. The huge trio of Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun, and Steven Adams won’t work out against the might of a 6-foot-3 Stephen Curry over 7 games. Meanwhile, Jalen Green and Fred VanVleet’s concern in shooting hoops has come under the radar after the Warriors game.
Luckily, they have the home court advantage again for tonight. So, all eyes are on the Toyota Center. Do you think the veteran squad of the Warriors, with Stephen Curry leading the attack, will reign supreme? Or will the Rockets‘ young and hungry attacking force blitz past the Golden State defence to deaden the tie 1-1?
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