Rockets victims of the jetlag? Mike D'Antoni "I hope because otherwise we are in trouble"

The pre-season went pretty well so far for the Rockets: scuffle inflicted on the Shanghai Sharks, wide win against the Clippers in Hawaii, a short defeat against Toronto in Japan and a rematch obtained 2 days later again in Tokyo . But back in the United States and specifically at the Toyota Center on Wednesday, the team of Mike D'Antoni, led by up to 25 points, took a slap against the Spurs, 128-114. The jetlag?

"I hope because otherwise we are in trouble. We went into nobody, they scorched as they wanted. It's as if they have not felt us, and it's been a few days like this. »Mike D'Antoni

Worn by a duo LaMarcus Aldridge (22 points in 22 minutes) – Dejounte Murray (20 points in 21 minutes) at 19/24 on fire, the Spurs managed to finish the match at 57.1% while DeMar DeRozan and Rudy Gay had been left to rest.

"We are not worried, but we must clearly raise our intensity by a notch. We must be more aggressive. We feel a little jetlag but at the same time, we must do better than that. Eric Gordon

Men of Gregg Popovich totaled only 4 balls lost throughout the match and were only beaten twice (each time by Isaiah Hartenstein and at the moment the holders were already on the bench), while Houston turned at 8.5 against per game since the beginning of the pre-season.

"We must sound the alarm and prepare for the season, because we are not there yet, it shows. We did not have legs. We'll see if it's better Thursday and Friday in Miami. Then we will have some training. I'm sure we'll make up for that, but it was not good tonight. Our defense did not give us luck. »Mike D'Antoni

James Harden scored 40 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists, Russell Westbrook 14 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 8 lost balls.

"It will come, it will take time so do not be alarmed. Alchemy is the most important part. There is no problem with the system, it's easy to adjust. Alchemy with my teammates is the most important for me. Russell Westbrook

"He did not play in the summer. In addition I think he has two dislocated fingers. It will be fine. It's normal when you come back. He plays so fast. When you do not play for a moment, you lose your rhythm. »Mike D'Antoni

"Today was a lesson for us. Tomorrow, we will review the game and see what we can do better, discuss it. James Harden

via Houston Chronicle

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