The Houston Rockets have some major adjustments to make ahead of Game 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder if this series is to extend past four games.
Game 1 may have been a case of the Rockets being simply outclassed by a superior team, however, the near 30-point loss was an unacceptable way to kick off the team’s first playoff appearance since 2009.
Scoring presented a problem for a team that has been brilliant putting the ball in the basket for much of the 2012-13 season and it must change heading into Game 2. The Rockets set an NBA record this season for three-point baskets made, but converted just 22 percent on Sunday in an 8-for-36 shooting effort. The Thunder crowded the interior and dared the Rockets outside guys to shoot. A gutsy plan that worked.
The Rockets didn’t receive many noteworthy performances in their playoff opener, but Jeremy Lin’s dismal effort stood out more than the rest. The high profile point guard made just a single field goal from seven attempts and had as many turnovers (four) as assists, while reserve Patrick Beverley was forced to do too much, as indicated by his man of the match performance for the Rockets.
Houston has to make it harder for the Thunder scorers for the rest of the series. Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant both shot 7-15, for 19 and 24 points respectively, while Serge Ibaka and Kevin Martin were also allowed to impact the scoreboard far too easily.
The Rockets were drowned by a slow start in Game 1. Falling behind from the onset, Houston managed to fightback and even the score midway through the second before the reigning Western Conference champs put the game to bed before the end of the third, and that cannot be allowed to happen again. Something has to give for the Houston Rockets or this will be one quick series.
Robert White covers the Houston Rockets for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @RobertWhitebrrr.
