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Mike D’Antoni won’t change iso-heavy approach vs. Warriors: ‘We are who we are’

James Harden, Mike D'Antoni

The Houston Rockets suffered a painful blow in Game 1 against the Golden State Warriors, giving away their home court advantage during a 119-106 loss on Monday night.

In true Clutch City fashion, the Rockets had 45 isolation plays in Game 1, the most in the last five postseasons, according to Second Spectrum — and while that has proved futile against a team with championship mettle, head coach Mike D’Antoni won’t change his ways because of the results from one game.

“We’ve been doing this for 82 games. We are who we are,” D’Antoni told reporters when faced with concerns about the isolation-heavy offense, according to Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated.

His All-Star backcourt responded in likewise fashion.

“We know what to do,” said point guard Chris Paul, according to Tim Bontemps of The Washington Post. “We just have to be better.”

James Harden echoed Paul’s mantra, knowing the team will have to bring in some extra effort to salvage a win at home.

“It won’t change, we just gotta do it better… we watched film. We just gotta do it a little harder,” said Harden, per Logan Murdock of the San Jose Mercury News.

“The intensity is going to be there. It’s going to be higher than it was last night.”

Reigning Sixth Man of the Year Eric Gordon was one of the few Rockets players who noted a change will need to take place to stand a chance against the Warriors, who have iso guns of their own.

The marksman said the team will have to resort to other ways aside from an iso-heavy style to make the Warriors adapt, having taken a 41-point punch from Harden and walked right through it in Game 1.

The post Mike D’Antoni won’t change iso-heavy approach vs. Warriors: ‘We are who we are’ appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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