Rockets’ supporting cast comes up big in Game 2 win over Thunder

The Houston Rockets overcame James Harden’s struggles to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 2.

After a thoroughly one-sided contest in Game 1, Game 2 between the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder was much more of the back-and-forth affair most expected heading into this 4-5 matchup.

Unfortunately for OKC, Houston’s supporting cast came up big in Thursday’s game, helping make up for James Harden’s shooting struggles and give the Rockets a commanding 2-0 lead in this first-round series of the 2020 NBA Playoffs.

Although the Beard only finished with 21 points and nine assists in a poor shooting night, the Rockets overwhelmed Oklahoma City with a barrage from 3-point range, shooting an NBA playoff-record 56 3-pointers. They only made 33.9 percent of them, but those 19 made 3s far outpaced OKC’s 11 made triples.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who matched his Game 1 scoring total of nine points in the first seven minutes of Game 2, finishing his night with 31 points on 9-of-17 shooting. Unfortunately, Chris Paul struggled again to the tune of 14 points and only two assists on 6-of-15 shooting. The Thunder only managed 39 second-half points compared to the Rockets’ 58.

What else did you miss in Game 2 between the Rockets and Thunder?

Strategic advantage: Making or missing 3-pointers

Houston came out firing from 3-point range, starting the game 10-for-20 from beyond the arc in the first half. Then the Rockets went ice-cold in a way that was reminiscent of Game 7 of the 2018 Western Conference Finals, missing 15 3s in a row to close out the half.

Despite attempting a playoff-record 35 triples in the first two quarters, by missing 15 straight attempts from downtown, their 3-point efficiency plummeted from 50 percent to 28.6 percent in the blink of an eye. Given that icy spell, it was a miracle they were only down by six at halftime as the Thunder ended the second quarter on a 16-6 run.

When Houston opened up the third quarter on a 16-2 run to build an eight-point lead, three straight triples from the Thunder restored the lead. When the Rockets started the fourth quarter on a 20-5 spree, they went 4-for-6 from downtown in that stretch. As we all expected, Houston’s icy-hot offense will allow them to beat any team in the NBA … or lose to any team in the NBA. Through two games against this outmatched OKC squad, it hasn’t mattered yet.

Unsung hero: Luguentz Dort

Despite OKC coming up short again in Game 2, there was no question about the impact Luguentz Dort had as he returned to the lineup after missing Game 1 with a knee sprain. With Dort back on the floor, James Harden was held to just eight points and five assists in the first half, shooting a dismal 2-for-10 from the floor and 1-for-8 from 3-point range.

It didn’t get much better in the second half until Dort was on the bench.

Overall, the undrafted rookie out of ASU helped hold the Beard to 5-of-16 shooting from the field and 2-of-11 shooting from downtown.

Dort can’t be expected to hold one of the greatest isolation scorers of all time in check over a full playoff series, but considering Harden’s third field goal of the game didn’t come until the final five minutes of the game (with Dort resting, no less), this was a tremendous defensive effort from OKC’s starting wing.

It’s just unfortunate so many other Rockets showed up to play in Game 2, because Dort’s defensive effort against the best player on the floor really should’ve been enough to help the Thunder even up this series.

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MVP: The Rockets’ supporting cast

The Rockets only shot 19-for-56 from downtown, but thanks to their balanced contributions across the board, Harden’s off shooting night didn’t even matter.

Seven of the eight players Mike D’Antoni deployed in Game 2 reached double figures. Danuel House Jr. had 19. Jeff Green, following up a terrific Game 1 performance, added 15 off the bench. Eric Gordon had 15 despite going 0-for-10 from long range, P.J. Tucker chipped in 14 on 5-of-7 shooting, Austin Rivers kicked in 11 and Robert Covington chipped in 10.

It was the exact type of all-around team performance Houston needed in a game without Russell Westbrook where Harden struggled with his shot. If the Rockets continue playing like this, they could rapidly become the favorite to win the West.