The Houston Rockets extended their season with a 115-107 Game 6 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Friday night, and head coach Ime Udoka credited both the veterans and overall team effort in the postgame press conference.
“Full team contribution,” Udoka said when asked about the impact of Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams. “Off night for a few guys and others came and stepped up.”
VanVleet posted 29 points, eight assists and eight rebounds in the win, while Adams finished with 17 points and went 9-for-16 at the free throw line.
“Steven was big as far as with Alpie — got some fouls — and then knocking down the free throws and doing what he does defensively,” Udoka noted.
Houston trailed 3-1 in the series but has now won two straight to force a decisive Game 7 at home.
“Our physicality and our awareness has improved throughout the series,” Udoka said. “Our young guys aren’t really phased by things. They just continue to play through it.”
The Rockets turned the game in the fourth quarter, holding the Warriors to 13 points after giving up 36 in the third.
“We were a little disappointed they won the third by three,” Udoka said. “Felt we were right there to kind of crack it open, and we came out and did that.”
Golden State missed 15 of 16 shots during one key stretch of the final period.
“Locating Curry was a big part,” Udoka said. “We knew if we rebounded better than we did in the third quarter, we limit them to one shot and get out and run.”
When asked about his decision not to remove Adams despite intentional fouling from the Warriors, Udoka defended the move.
“We feel obviously if you’re holding somebody one-for-16 and four points or whatever in the first eight minutes, feel good about our defense,” he said. “Also helps in getting in the rhythm to leave him in.”
Udoka also explained how the Rockets developed their zone scheme against Stephen Curry, blending 2-3 zone elements with box-and-one principles.
“It was out of necessity,” he said. “The communication is probably even better in our zone than in man-to-man. Obviously, we’re dominant with our size.”
With VanVleet playing at a high level and the Rockets winning the physical battle, Udoka emphasized playoff experience as a difference-maker.
“Veterans know the urgency of the playoffs,” he said. “Fred came out not shooting his best, and he’s had some really good stretches lately. He’s been a champion, been there, done that.”
Looking ahead to Game 7, Udoka expressed confidence in the Rockets’ identity.
“When we’ve played good basketball, we’ve had some blowouts,” he said. “That bodes well, knowing that we can kind of ramp it up there.”
Game 7 between Houston and Golden State is set for Sunday in Texas. The winner will advance to face Minnesota in the Western Conference semifinals.
