Tag J. Terrill/Associated Press
Houston Rockets superstar guard James Harden downplayed persevered questions about the crew’s lack of dimension after a 112-97 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of the Western Convention Semifinals.
Harden, who scored a game-high 36 facets in Friday’s have interaction, stated there are bigger factors than height:
Robert Covington (6’7″) is the tallest member of the Rockets’ starting up lineup, and Jeff Green (6’8″) is the tallest participant who saw the flooring for Houston in Game 1.
In distinction, the Lakers delivery JaVale McGee (7’0″) as a old heart and moreover feature superstar forward Anthony Davis (6’10”) and worn heart Dwight Howard (6’10”) of their rotation.
The scale disparity performed little influence on Friday’s contest as the Rockets shot 48.1 percent from the sector, including 35.9 percent from previous the arc whereas knocking down 14 threes, whereas coping with taller defenders and remained even within the rebounding wrestle (41-41).
What Houston lacks in length it makes up for with quickness and shooting ability. The Lakers’ LeBron James (6’8″) stated his crew wasn’t quite ready for the strange receive 22 situation Harden and Co. presented nonetheless that he completely expects things to alternate in Game 2.
“I mediate it be the tempo,” James informed reporters. “They play with quite about a tempo, both offensively and defensively. And that that you might be in a plot to peep it on film and that that you might moreover be in a plot to stumble on it on film; except you rep available and rep a really feel for it, [you cannot comprehend it]. That’s what we did tonight. We purchased a really feel for his or her tempo, and we can in finding to peaceable be completely responsive to that going into Game 2.”
L.A., the cease seed within the West, moreover misplaced the hole game of its first-round sequence in opposition to the Portland Path Blazers earlier than winning four straight to attain.
Game 2 is scheduled for Sunday at 8: 30 p.m. ET on ABC.
