The Houston Rockets were hot from three-point range early in their NBA Playoff game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday.
That included Houston making eight three-pointers in the first quarter alone to take a 35-30 lead after the initial stanza.
Unfortunately for James Harden and Co. that did not continue into the second quarter. Houston went 10-of-35 from three-point range (28.6%) in the first half alone. That represents an NBA Playoff record for three-point attempts in a single half of basketball.
To say that Houston relies on the three ball more than any other team in NBA history would be an understatement. The team’s struggles from distance in last season’s NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors sent Houston packing for the summer.
Sure the Warriors themselves revolutionized the NBA in this regard. But the Rockets are now taking it to a whole new level. This could potentially be their downfall once again at Walt Disney World in Orlando.
As for the first half of Thursday’s game, Houston trailed by six at intermission as the team looks to take a 2-0 series lead. The Rockets’ starting back court of James Harden and Eric Gordon went a combined 1-of-13 from distance.