As Rockets struggle to defend 3-point line, Ime Udoka wants better communication

“We don’t communicate or stay locked in with our guy,” Ime Udoka says. “It is the same thing that hurt us against Atlanta, or any other team that slips screens.”

HOUSTON — Another old habit returned to bite Houston in Tuesday’s 123-117 loss to Indiana. With the win, the Pacers extended their series-best winning streak versus Houston to eight games.

One thing head coach Ime Udoka has spoken about extensively this season is the lack of communication on the defensive end, particularly when it comes to guarding the 3-point line.

The Pacers hit the first six shots they attempted from beyond the arc, a precursor to the 19 (44%) they made for the game. On the other side, the Rockets hit only five.

Defending the 3-point line has become a significant concern for Udoka. In its last four losses, Houston has allowed the Milwaukee Bucks (13), Cleveland Cavaliers (19), Atlanta Hawks (17) and Pacers (19) to shoot well above average from beyond the arc.

“It is the same thing that hurt us against Atlanta and San Antonio, or any other team that slips screens,” Udoka said when asked why the Pacers could get so many easy looks.

“We don’t communicate or stay locked in with our guy,” Udoka added. “Obviously, if you are not getting hit with the screen, you are not switching. So that noncommunication and them slipping out led to wide-open 3s, and from there, we are scrambling.”

Although the Rockets made the game interesting toward the end, the continuous deep shots by Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (7-for-13 from distance) proved too much to overcome.

“We knew they’re the best offensive team in the league,” said Rockets center Alperen Sengun, who finished the game with a team-high 30 points and 16 rebounds. “We tried to solve it in the game plan, but they’re still a good team. They made their clutch shots, so they win.”

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