HOUSTON — The Rockets believe Kevon Looney is a defensive liability when alone in space tracking James Harden and Chris Paul. The Warriors think differently, believing Looney’s length, patience and smarts are enough to force mostly tough, contested shots they’re willing to concede.



So here we are, as a huge Warriors’ Game 1 road win pushes toward a pivotal Game 2 in these Western Conference finals: It’s a tug of war with Looney in the middle. The Rockets are dragging the shy, lanky 22-year-old big out onto a cleared stage and are hunting him with two of the league’s most lethal guards. The Warriors — growing increasingly confident in Looney’s emerging defensive impact — are very fine leaving him on the island as the vulnerable prey.



“Looney’s out there for a reason,” Steve Kerr said. “He’s an excellent 1-on-1 defender.”



Said Mike D’Antoni: “We can run a...