Kevin Durant emphasized the importance of offensive rebounds in Houston’s 117-100 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday at Toyota Center. “The more you can get possessions for your team, the better…every shot can’t go down, but when you get a good shot at the rim and put people on the boards, that just adds another layer to your offense,” Durant said, noting the Rockets grabbed 18 offensive boards.
Durant reflected on the team’s ability to start strong and maintain leads. “Feels good to start off strong, just play a good game for 48…we got to be prepared for any type of fight. We’re getting better, building more confidence in us,” he said, highlighting the Rockets’ consistency over the past two games.
Balancing scoring and playmaking was central to Durant’s approach. “A lot of stuff is set up by my ability to score…defenses guard me based off my ability to score, and that opens up stuff for my teammates,” he explained, finishing with 30 points, seven assists, and four rebounds in just three quarters.
Durant praised the growth of young guard Reed Sheppard. “Just his confidence level…him and Steven have a great synergy in the pick and roll…he’s playing with confidence, and I love what he’s doing,” Durant said, acknowledging Sheppard’s contribution of 18 points and eight assists off the bench.
Discussing the Rockets’ frequent lineup changes, Durant credited the team’s system for maintaining cohesion. “You probably go down the line of teams who had more than nine or 10 lineup changes…we have a system that we try to lock in on every day, so when guys come in they know exactly what they need to do,” he said.
Durant also addressed the defensive attention he receives and how it creates opportunities. “Most teams try to pressure me…if I can get two, three dribbles, pull up before the help gets there, that’s cool…when guys pressure me, I feel I can get to my spots inside the paint,” he said.
He noted the effectiveness of pairing elite shooters with strong offensive rebounders like Steven Adams. “It’s a cheat code…every possession you can add by getting offensive rebounds just adds another layer to your offense,” Durant explained, referencing his third-quarter sequence with Adams that led to a cutting dunk.
Durant highlighted Dorian Finney-Smith’s quick trigger shooting. “He knows exactly how to play, when to shoot, when to drive, when to make plays for others…that shot he made was perfect,” he said, praising the guard’s floor awareness.
Houston outrebounded Cleveland 51-42 and shot 49% from the field, including 46% from three, controlling the game from start to finish. Durant rested in the fourth quarter with the Rockets ahead by 27, capping a balanced team effort that showcased offensive versatility.
