During the months without NBA basketball during the 2019-20 season’s COVID-19 stoppage, many members of the Houston Rockets expressed a desire to play at a faster pace upon returning to the court.
As of now, they’re delivering on that promise.
After two games (both wins) at the NBA “bubble,” the Rockets are averaging more than 106.9 possessions per game. That’s the fastest pace of any of the 22 teams invited to the league’s restart, and it’s also quicker than the No. 1 team in pace (Milwaukee, 105.4) for the whole season.
“Throughout a game it’s tough to sustain, honestly, how we play,” Russell Westbrook said Sunday. “We’re used to playing that way. It’s something that teams aren’t used to, and I think it goes to our advantage.”
I asked Russell Westbrook if he thinks the Rockets style of play has worn the Bucks and Mavs down during the first two games, and even snuck in a follow-up. Notice the smile before his answer pic.twitter.com/ReCgRI7hLZ
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) August 3, 2020
Westbrook also indicated after Sunday’s statement victory over the Bucks that he noticed signs of fatigue from Houston’s opponents.
“I’m always looking at other guys and seeing when they’re trying to catch their breath, if they’re in tune to what’s going on,” Westbrook said postgame. “It definitely wears them down.”
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The Rockets had only nine turnovers on Sunday as compared to 22 for Milwaukee, which would seem provide more evidence that the Rockets (42-24) were more comfortable with the style of the game. That’s exactly what players and coaches around the Rockets had hoped for.
“I think if we’re going to play small, we can’t play slow,” reserve guard Austin Rivers told The Athletic‘s Kelly Iko in June. “That goes against everything that we’ve got going on. I think speed and ball movement are the two ways that we can really bother people with this small ball.”
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Jan. 31 was when the Rockets began playing full-time without a center. Before that, Houston ranked No. 2 in pace at 104.2 possessions per game. From that point until the season’s March 12 hiatus, the Rockets slipped slightly to No. 8 in the NBA at 102.0 possessions per game.
Upon having months to reflect and recharge, though, they realized they needed to play faster than that for the smaller lineup to be maximized. Through two games, that’s exactly what seems to be happening.
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The Rockets (42-24) will look to continue their success with that style on Tuesday night versus Portland (30-38), with tip-off set for 8:00 p.m. Central. The game will be broadcast nationally on TNT and regionally on AT&T SportsNet Southwest (with Houston announcers).
The Rockets are now up to No. 4 in the close Western Conference race for playoff seeding, just a game back of Denver (43-23) for No. 3.
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