The Rockets scored just 85 points in Game 1 of their first-round series against the Warriors. That has to change dramatically for the higher-seeded Rockets to win the series, Michael Wright of ESPN notes.
“Some guys did struggle offensively — you’re not going to overreact to one game,” coach Ime Udoka said after Sunday’s loss. “But if guys do play better, we have a chance there. Ten-point loss and like I said, holding somebody to 95; it was an offensively poor showing. The defense was good enough. But I’m not going to overreact to that game. It’s some of those guys’ first times and we had our chances.”
Game 2 will be held on Wednesday.
- Houston’s Game 1 offensive performance can’t be easily dismissed, according to Kelly Iko of The Athletic. The Warriors are led by stars Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler, who have many years of playoff experience and can create offense when needed, while the Rockets simply don’t have a player like that on their roster.
- Jalen Green, who averaged 21 points per game during the regular season, shot 3-for-15 from the field and scored seven points in the series opener. He was also limited to two assists. “They went after him some, but he played in the crowd a little bit too much,” Udoka said, per Jonathan Alexander of the Houston Chronicle. “It’s not really the turnovers as much as the shots in the crowd where you have to find your outlet … When he has isolations, you’ve got to find your outlet. That’s going to be a big key in this series.”
- Udoka might expand his eight-man rotation in Game 2 to include Aaron Holiday, an above-average three-point threat. “Yeah, we were considering it last game,” Udoka told Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle. “That unit in the third quarter was running well and so we went with them, stuck with them, but Aaron’s played well against them. Obviously, not just the shooting, his physicality and aggressiveness on defense helps as well. And so yeah, we’re not just tied down to our guys. I think a big part of it was finding the rhythm with our guys and kind of sticking with them through their first experience in the playoffs. That’s part of it, no doubt but yeah Aaron’s had a great series against Golden State.”
CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR THE MOVIE WALL STREET
Yeah when Sengun was scoring every basket it’s like, ok, alpy having a game, but you gotta mix it up. Diversify your offensive portfolio. Anyone seen the movie wall street with Michael Douglas? Greed is good. Well greed isn’t good and that sort of the theme of the movie. Just like if you have one greedy player it stifles you. No idea if Michael Douglas plays basketball i don’t think he did in the film.
Not a great example. If your sole intention is to make money than greed is good. That isn’t true in all aspects of life but for Gordon gecko aka Micheal Milken aka posner it certainly was.
Jalen Green is the same player since he entered the nba, zero progress. I dont know how he is a starter still, the Rockets should move him while he still has some form of value.
You’re just a tad off on how Green is seen around the NBA.
Im a big Green fan. He’s much better than when he came in. Had a terrible game. Bad shooting night. Let’s see what he does in gm2. And whole series…..
I dunno, man. He’s wildly inconsistent. You can’t be a superstar in the league and run an offense when you put up +20 a few games in a row, then score single digits a few games in a row. He’s only 22, but with no one else on the roster that can create offense, you have to seriously look at selling as high as possible on him (Durant isn’t the answer, mainstream media). He’s not good enough to drive the team, and he’s not consistent enough as a 2nd option.
@davengmusic
He’s 23. How many 23 year olds besides MJ, Lebron and KD were already superstars?
(I’m not saying he’ll ever be a superstar, but who are you going to get at SG that’s better)?
Yeah I agree. But young talent takes time to be consistent. You don’t just give up on them. That’s why they gave him three years. He is worth waiting for imo. This was a team koss. Not only one who had a bad game. This series is a good measuring stick for a young Rockets team. Warriors are favored for a reason. I think its 50-50. Rockets definitely going to need Green to play well.
As bad as VanVleet was in game 1, starting Holiday would be a smart move. When FVV was out in one of the games, Holiday as a starter led the Rockets with 25 pts on 50% shooting 8 reb 4 ast 1 steal and only 1 TO.
In the other 4 games as a backup, 6 pts, 3 pts, 2 pts, and 3 pts.
play Sheppard and Whitmore Q1 vs VanVleet & Green. Cannot be any worse.
Fred is the problem. When he’s not making anything (which has been who he is this season), the rockets have only one guy on the floor with Jalen who can make shots. The spacing is awful and Jalen is essentially having to work against more than one defender at all times, with zero room to work in the paint. The offense is doing him no favors. I love Amen, but the warriors aren’t even guarding him, rockets need to run Jabari more and get Fred out of there to improve the spacing, then let Jalen work.