Hoops Habit
Fansided

Houston Rockets: 3 takeaways from Game 1 vs. Jazz

By Gavriel Wilkins

HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 14: James Harden #13, and Danuel House Jr. #4 of the Houston Rockets shake hands after Game One of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs against the Utah Jazz on April 14, 2019 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 14: James Harden #13, and Danuel House Jr. #4 of the Houston Rockets shake hands after Game One of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs against the Utah Jazz on April 14, 2019 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
Photo by Bill Baptist/Getty Images
Photo by Bill Baptist/Getty Images /

3. Ball movement always leads to scoring opportunities

Despite playing at one of the slowest paces in the league due to their iso-heavy attack, Houston’s vaulted offense displayed a multitude of ways in which it can score led by the presence of it dynamic backcourt duo.

In a first round matchup where the Rockets are currently pitted against the NBA’s second-best defense, Chris Paul and James Harden sought to counterbalance their one-on-one heavy diet by helping Clutch City push the pace — and driving inside the teeth of the Jazz defense — to force them to collapse and open up scoring opportunities for their teammates out in space across the floor.

https://twitter.com/HoustonRockets/status/1117624691815002112

https://twitter.com/HoustonRockets/status/1117616584506396673

Houston — which finished 28th in assists and assist-to-turnover ratio during the regular season — showcased the ability to effectively move the ball throughout the night, generating a total of 25 assists on 48 made field goals in Game 1. They also scored 62 of their 122 points in the paint.

"“I think that’s when we’re at our best,” Rockets guard Eric Gordon told Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle prior to the start of the playoffs. “When we’re…creating a lot of assists throughout the game.” “We’re kind of unpredictable because guys are getting open shots, guys are knocking them down…If teams wants to switch and make us a one-on-one team, we’re fine with that…we just take what we can get.”"

Although one could argue that the following numbers are the byproduct of the Jazz defense working extensively to run the Rockets off of the 3-point line, finding a way to generate quality looks in non one-on-one situations — combine with spreading the wealth — should be regarded as a positive sign for Houston.

The Rockets have proven to be virtually unbeatable whenever their ball movement leads to points, as they currently boast a 15-3 record in games where they have accumulated at least 25 or more assists this season.

Should this trend continue, then this could possibly pose trouble for Utah. Solid ball movement typically leads to more scoring opportunities than not for a Houston squad that currently features two future Hall-of-Fame playmakers with shooters from virtually anywhere on the floor.

Home/Houston Rockets