Rockets Feel Confident After Winning On Harden’s Off Night

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Houston Rockets superstar James Harden played a historically bad three and a half quarters in Game 3.

The reigning league MVP went 0-for-15 to start the game and didn’t make his first field goal until the 7:32 mark of the fourth quarter.

Despite the shooting struggles from the regular season’s leading scorer, Houston’s confidence as a team wasn’t swayed in the slightest.

Is you ready? Whole squad ready! pic.twitter.com/MRgvei1wPQ

— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) April 23, 2019

“Actually, it gaves us a little shot of confidence that we can withstand that and still win,” said Houston coach Mike D’Antoni prior to Monday’s Game 4.

Utah’s inability to take advantage of Harden’s off night was the story of Game 3. The Jazz were unable to knock down shots, with missed free throws in the third quarter being especially damaging. Meanwhile, Houston remained close as Utah failed to separate itself from the Rockets. Harden finally snapped out of his slump and make some key shots late in the fourth and the Rockets were able to pull away for the win.

With an opportunity to close out the Jazz and get the series sweep, D’Antoni is expecting a different story in Game 4.

The squad! #RunAsOne pic.twitter.com/g31jGkSaGo

— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) April 21, 2019

“We will make some adjustments. I’ll ask James to not go 0-for-15, so we will try to adjust there,” said D’Antoni. “We play our style and we do what we do. It’s going to be come down to defense again. If we are gritty enough and we can hit big shots in moments, which we did last game. Then we have a good chance to win.”

Game Info

Game 4 between Utah and Houston will tip off Monday at 8:30 p.m. and be broadcast on TNT. Houston leads the series 3-0.