Transition, pace key to both Rockets, Thunder





OKLAHOMA CITY - As important as pace is to the Rockets' style, the Thunder have been far more hesitant to try to slow down the game than other Rockets' opponents. They have a good reason for looking to fast break.

"For us, in my opinion, we have the best transition guard in the NBA," Thunder coach Billy Donovan said of Russell Westbrook. "On missed shots, we need to let Russell be who he is and who he's been all year long. You don't want to at some point from a tempo or pace standpoint start to play a style that is different from what you've done all year long and put him in a situation where's he not able to do the things that made him who he is.

"There's no question there is a balance there, but I feel like on missed shots, we're a team that needs to look in transition."

The Rockets held the Thunder to 16 fast break points in each of the first two games, but allowed 12 in the first half on Wednesday, offering a reminder of the importance of transition defense in the series.

"First game we did real well; second game we did a lot less," Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni said. "That's a key for us. First half we didn't do a good job the second game. It's one of those things we point out."