No Patrick Beverley, no problem for Houston Rockets

By Josh Criswell | Mar 26, 2015

Mar 25, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Eric Gordon (10) is defended by Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) and guard James Harden (13) during the first quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

The Houston Rockets struggled early on in the absence of their starting point guard Patrick Beverley, but his teammates stepped up to the call and carried the Rockets to a comeback victory, a positive sign of thing to come for a team that is no stranger to injuries.

The Houston Rockets appeared in complete disarray to start last night’s matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans. Their defensive anchor Patrick Beverley was on the bench, possibly out for the season with a season-ending wrist surgery.

Before halftime the Rockets had already found themselves on the ropes, down by 17 points to a fringe playoff team. With Beverley out, they had no answer for the Pelicans’ dynamic point guard Tyreke Evans, who appeared simply unstoppable.

Tyreke Evans is 6-6 from the field for 14 points & 4 assists while Rockets have 6 turnovers. Yes, Patrick Beverley's absence will be felt.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) March 26, 2015

Running out of options and staring in the face of a blowout, Rockets coach Kevin McHale made a bold decision. He scrapped the point guard position and just put his best defenders on the floor. With Trevor Ariza, James Harden and Corey Brewer locking down the perimeter, New Orleans’ lead quickly evaporated while Houston established the tone of the game from that moment on.

More from Houston Rockets

Donatas Motiejunas and Josh Smith served as Houston’s rim protectors, denying attacks to the basket from any Pelican not named Anthony Davis. Dwight Howard even provided a glimpse of his inside presence during his first game since Jan. 23rd, providing four points, seven boards and one block in just 16 minutes of action.

Jason Terry started in place of Beverley, and played a much better game than the box score will show. While he did commit four turnovers, the team was also +11 while he was on the floor, a team-best. The 16-year veteran has hit the third most 3-pointers in NBA history, so expect

Prigioni saw significant playing time at point guard as well, providing the aging Terry with relief off the bench. In addition to dishing out four assists, he delivered this alley-oop to Howard, a play that sparked the Rockets’ comeback and proves that he is already ahead of the curve on developing chemistry with Houston’s All-Star center.

While this play was monumental in starting Houston’s comeback, it was the decision to field a lineup without a true point guard that might be the most brilliant move of Kevin McHale’s coaching career. Not just for last night’s win, but for the remainder of the season and any championship aspirations the Rockets have.

Terry and Prigioni will both play vital roles in the wake of Beverley’s absence, but it is Houston’s ability to takeover a game at any moment begins with its elite defense and abundance of athleticism. Brewer, Harden and Ariza all rank in the top-20 in the league in steals, and with an average height over 6-foot-7, the trio poses a defensive threat like none other to opposing guards.

Combine their defensive prowess with the fact that Harden is a ball-dominant guard in the midst of a career-year and MVP race, and Beverley’s injury could be a blessing in disguise. Even Pelicans fans felt compelled to pay their respects after this one-handed slam.

The timeless saying that defense wins championships seems to wring true every year. It will take a lot more than just defense to bring home the Larry O’Brien Trophy back to Houston for the first time in 20 years, but if their chemistry continues to grow down the stretch, the Rockets are set to make a serious playoff run.

Somehow the Houston Rockets just may have improved, despite losing an elite defender and offensive spark-plug.

More from FanSided

Home/Houston Rockets