Rockets go with small lineup in Game 1 vs. Thunder

One of the keys to Houston’s late-game rout was the disparity in second-chance points.

Buoyed by the all-around tenacity of guard Patrick Beverley plus a surprisingly overwhelming advantage on the glass and in the paint, the Rockets blitzed the Oklahoma City Thunder 118-87 in Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round series at Toyota Center.

Beverley did have to go to the locker room in the fourth quarter after taking a series of bumps and bruises in the contest, including an absolutely crushing pick from Steven Adams, but according the Rockets’ heart and soul himself, he’s likely to be right back out there in Game 2. So, what does that mean for game two?

“We’ve had numerous games when we’re not shooting the ball well”, Harden said.

“Looking at video it’s just down to positioning and getting those reads on when to go”, Adams said. The Thunder finished with seven offensive boards. “If they rotate next game, then we will take threes”. The Rockets grabbed 56 rebounds to Oklahoma City’s 41. In particular, there was the much-debated tendency of the team to leak out, allowing Westbrook to corral uncontested defensive rebounds (and pad his counting stats into triple-double range), but also help the Thunder move from offense to defense even quicker.

Hopefully, the Thunder can collect themselves and come back to game 2 stronger and more efficient, because if not they are in some deep trouble. Westbrook hasn’t been as sharp, contesting just 3.6 shots per night, the worst rate of any National Basketball Association player who’s logging at least 30 minutes per game.

I don’t know about that.

Everything seemed to go right for the Rockets in their playoff debut.

As far as first-round matchups go, it doesn’t get much better than this, as James Harden and Russell Westbrook – the NBA’s top-two MVP candidates – are set to go toe-to-toe at least four games in a row. “I’m focused on the playoffs”.

But against the Thunder, the number of three-point attempts is also something to watch as this series continues.

Houston was expected to be a bottom-10 defense, and when Beverley missed the first three weeks of the regular season, they were.

Sixth man guard Eric Gordon has resurged his career in Harden’s company along with forward Ryan Anderson after leaving the New Orleans Pelicans. The Thunder will need to do what they did to stay close with the Rockets during the regular season, which is mainly hit the basics - pester the Rockets on the perimeter, bully them on the inside, slow down and frustrate Harden, and keep everyone (including and especially Harden) off the line.

One bright spot from the game was Andre Roberson. After the half, the Rockets started making their shots and pulled away for victory. “I think he’s excited from a leadership role to try to help guys that don’t have that kind of experience, haven’t been through it or are going through it for the first time”, Donovan told reporters. The correct answer: very slim. I would probably give my vote to Harden by the slightest of edge, but it doesn’t mean that diminishes in any way the great seasons that Westbrook had, Kawhi Leonard, LeBron James, Isaiah Thomas.