NBA Playoffs 2017: 5 things we learned from the Spurs beating the Rockets
By Connor Learn
4. There is a blueprint for slowing Houston down
The Rockets’ offense set records following the arrival of coach Mike D’Antoni this season. Collectively, they crushed their own league records for 3-point attempts and makes. Houston became even more of an uptempo offensive juggernaut than ever before as a result of D’Antoni’s tweaks, and the results were positive across the board. Houston narrowly finished second in the league in scoring and also finished second in offensive efficiency. This was the biggest factor in their success this season.
Gregg Popovich did a number of things that gave his team a better chance in this series. First, he had one big man near the rim at all times. This prevented James Harden and the rest of the Rockets from getting clean looks at the rim and forced them to shoot over the Spurs. Second, San Antonio’s wing defenders closed out aggressively and effectively on Houston’s shooters. This reduced the number of clean shots Houston was used to getting all season. And finally, the biggest thing that the Spurs did well was not foul the Rockets. They only averaged 18.2 fouls per game during the series, which was less than Houston drew on their opponents during the regular season.
Some of the Spurs defensive success was scheme, and some of it was a matter of personnel. Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green, and Jonathon Simmons are the best trio of wing defenders in the league. San Antonio didn’t stop Houston’s offense; they are too good for that. But they did succeed in slowing them down. The Spurs held the Rockets to 103.5 points per game in this series, 12 below their season average. Their defensive points of emphasis from this series will be emulated by coaches in the future.