In Houston’s three wins during its first-round playoff series versus Oklahoma City, the Rockets are averaging 8.3 turnovers per game. In two losses to the Thunder, their turnovers were at 14.5 per game.
Houston head coach Mike D’Antoni has clearly noticed.
During Saturday’s historic Game 5 rout, the Rockets had just 11 turnovers, as compared to 18 for the Thunder. (And one of those 11 came by Michael Frazier in extended garbage time late in the game.) Going by the 34-point final margin, it was the biggest playoff win in franchise history.
In Russell Westbrook‘s return from a right quad strain, the All-Star guard had seven assists to zero turnovers in 24 minutes. Co-star James Harden reduced his turnovers from six in a Game 4 loss to three in Game 5.
After the game, D’Antoni explained the significance:
That’s something we always talk about [avoiding turnovers], and always stress. We did a good job on that, and we should do a good job. There’s no reason to turn it over. Other than James and Russell, who are making plays, nobody else should have a turnover. 10 is a good number. We’d like to get it even lower. That’s a key in this series. If we can keep it below 10, we’ve got a good shot.
With a clear focus on defense and reduced turnovers, the Rockets will have an opportunity in Monday night’s Game 6 to clinch the series and advance to the second round. Historically, in NBA playoff series to be tied after four games, the winner of Game 5 has ultimately won the best-of-seven series more than 80% of the time.
Game 6 between the Rockets and Thunder tips off at 8:00 p.m. Central, with a national broadcast on TNT and a regional version (with Houston announcers) on AT&T SportsNet Southwest.
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