Rockets to forget Game 1 rout, focus on Game 2 play

SAN ANTONIO - With the Rockets' 126-99 demolition of the Spurs still fresh, just moments after Rockets fans giddily serenaded James Harden with an "MVP" chant, Harden stood in the AT&T Center visitor's locker room to deliver a sober, determined message.

"We have to keep that intensity," he said. "I told the guys right after the game, as soon as we got into the locker room, 'Let's be mature. Let's go out here and get greedy. Let's get two.'

"With that said, it's not going to be easy. We hit them in the first game; second game is going to be a lot tougher. The guys know that. We are ready."

The Rockets arrived in San Antonio refusing to view themselves as long-shot underdogs, leaping leap into Game 1 with an urgency to hit the Spurs with their most energetic, even desperate intensity. Matching that after a 27-point blowout that was not even that close - the Rockets led by as many as 39 points - will be a different challenge no matter how often, or how soon, they recognized it.

"The best thing for us to do is to just forget about what happened in Game 1," Rockets forward Trevor Ariza said. "Every game is a different game. The opportunities are going to be different, everything is going to be different. Just try to forget about Game 1 and refocus on Game 2.

"It is easier said than done, but in a series, I think you have to do that. Understand that you got a good win coming out, but move on from it because they are not going to play the same. They are not going to miss the shots they missed or have the same energy they had, so you have to understand that and understand that it is going to be a totally different situation."

One win is just one win

That has not always been a Rockets strength. Since December, when the Rockets were still driven to prove themselves, they have generally handled adversity better than prosperity. They did win Game 2 against the Thunder after a Game 1 blowout, but that was at home, against a less accomplished team that imploded down the stretch in ways unlikely by the Spurs.

Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley during Rockets practice as they prepare for Game 2 of the second-round of the Western Conference NBA playoffs at AT&T Center, Tuesday, May 2, 2017, in San Antonio. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) less Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley during Rockets practice as they prepare for Game 2 of the second-round of the Western Conference NBA playoffs at AT&T Center, Tuesday, May 2, 2017, in San Antonio. ( ... more Photo: Karen Warren, Staff Photographer Photo: Karen Warren, Staff Photographer Image 1 of / 23 Caption Close Rockets to forget Game 1 rout, focus on Game 2 play 1 / 23 Back to Gallery

The Rockets won't count on that, but said they can count on themselves, refusing to view their one win, no matter how stunningly lopsided, as much of an accomplishment.

"They'll have a reaction," Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni said. "These guys are champions. You expect them to do that. I expect our guys to match it or exceed it. There's no reason not to. We haven't won anything so far. We won one game. It's a long series."

D'Antoni has often preached, "So what; what's next?" He has found it equally useful after wins or losses. Rarely has it been more applicable.

"If we win, 'so what?' If we lose, 'so what?' " D'Antoni said. "The only thing that's important is "what's next?' We've kind of had that mindset. These guys are mature enough to handle that. I expect good things from them."

As well as the Rockets played, it was not difficult to understand that some of the Spurs' undoing was from their own issues. The Spurs were so ineffective inside, through three quarters they had just 16 points in the paint.

Banners a reminder

"Obviously, we're in a great spot right now," Rockets forward Ryan Anderson said. "We want to keep the pressure on them. If we can come in and be focused, if we can get two wins here at their house, that's huge for us. We're going to be locked in as ever, ready to go and prepared."

Though the Rockets' easy victory Monday was the largest blowout defeat ever suffered by a San Antonio team under Gregg Popovich to open a series, they know better than most that a Game 1 rout does not guarantee anything. The Spurs beat the Thunder by 32 points in Game 1 last season and lost the series.

"See all those banners up there?" Anderson said beneath the Spurs' five championship banners. "They're a great team. They're a well-coached team. I said it a bunch of times, they're a good organization. They're not going to shy away from a big loss. They're going to bring their best. We're going to need to bring our best."