The Houston Rockets encountered the same problem in Game 7 that they did in Game 6 against the Golden State Warriors.
In both games, the Rockets came out hot to start the first half and then fizzled in the second half. It was difficult for many to watch the Rockets come undone, especially as they missed 27 straight 3-pointers on Monday night. But Kevin Durant says the Golden State Warriors had an inkling it would happen.
“We knew at some point they’d tire out,” Durant said on ESPN Radio, according to Ramona Shelburne. “James (Harden) dribbled so much each possession, I know at some point he’ll wear down and we were going at him on the defensive side of the ball as well.”
If there’s one weakness of the Rockets, that’s it: their lack of depth. They really only played seven players against Golden State. That number dropped off after Chris Paul’s hamstring injury and they had to give Joe Johnson and Ryan Anderson minutes in Game 7. Houston really ran out of steam against Golden State in both Games 6 and 7, and that did them in.
