From my vantage point, this game was lost because, in the third quarter, the Rockets stopped running the high screen and roll with which they usually have success. Kevin McHale said that the Suns began packing the paint with what he called “a soft shell.” As the Rockets did not hit shots, the Suns stayed in the shell. I asked Goran about this after the game, but his response did not offer much clarity: he said that he had to make the pass after coming off the screen as the Suns were trapping him with two players.
In the first quarter, the Rockets would run Dragic around a Camby high-post screen. Dragic would then either get all the way to the lane or kick back out to Camby who would initiate from the high post. Camby would then either find a cutter–sometimes Dragic–or swing it to a flashing Luis Scola, either in the post or on the wing. It was textbook Rockets basketball.
In the third, the Rockets completely went away from this, running various ISO sets, sometimes even posting up Patrick Patterson. It’s when the team is at its worst. I still don’t understand what happened. Why do they go away from the motion offense? I didn’t see any adjustment by the defense that warranted the switch. Weren’t they trapping the point guard all along?
In any event, after a 4-0 road trip, the Rockets lose another backbreaker at home. If they miss the postseason, they’ll have only themselves to blame. They control their own destiny at this point.
The Rockets again, like Wednesday night, made a furious comeback, but it was for naught. They got back into it with a small ball lineup that allowed them to work the ball around the perimeter after an initial Dragic-Scola pick and roll. Chase Budinger and Chandler Parsons did damage from the wings.
While the lineup did bring the Rockets back, the team had zero paint protection as they gave up some costly points in the paint near the end. “Scola at the 5” worked on one end but hurt on the other. Still, it’s probably hard to blame the coaching decision as that lineup did bring the Rockets back into the game.
Marcus Camby had probably the oddest stat line of the game, grabbing 18 rebounds in the first half, but zero in the second. In fact, he didn’t see a minute in the fourth quarter. After the game, he said it was the coach’s decision.
The team must now find a way to regroup after yet another backbreaking loss to a playoff contender. They will have to find ways to beat the Nuggets, Hornets, Mavs, or Heat. Luckily, they take to the road where perhaps, they find greatest comfort.
The other major storyline in this one was the battle of mentor-mentee in front of a national audience for a final playoff spot. Nash, at 38, clawing for a last chance, against Dragic, beginning his career as a star, trying to lead his team to the second season. Nash finished with 18 and 10 assists. Dragic had 22 and 7.
Watching closely, the contrast in styles was evident. Both players were masterful in the pick and roll, but Dragic would bull his way to the hoop with long strides while Nash would get crafty with a low dribble. Late in the first half, when Phoenix ran its offense from the high key through Nash, allowing him to hit cutters with one handed standing passes, one could see how far Dragic would have to go. Nash is a two time MVP for a reason.
On one particular play in the third, Nash drove and pushed off Dragic with a stiff forearm, sending him to the floor. He then nailed a jumper. At the other end, Dragic drove, stepped back, faked the shot drawing Nash off his feet, and then leaned in for the scoop shot, drawing the foul. The pair were an absolute joy to watch.